Sean O'Sullivan
Encyclopedia
Sean Patrick Paul O'Sullivan, CM
(January 1, 1952 – March 9, 1989) was a Canadian politician who left politics and became a Roman Catholic priest.
Born in 1952 in Hamilton, Ontario
, O'Sullivan showed an interest in politics at a young age: when he was 11 years old he worked for Ellen Fairclough
in her election campaign and met John Diefenbaker
for the first time. He was educated at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School
and Brock University
in St. Catharines. In 1970, at age 18, he was chosen as president of the Young Progressive Conservatives
of Canada.
In 1971, Diefenbaker appointed O'Sullivan as his executive assistant, and in the 1972 election
, the 20-year-old O'Sullivan was elected the Progressive Conservative MP for the riding of Hamilton—Wentworth
, becoming the youngest member of the Canadian House of Commons
ever at that point (in 1974
, Liberal Claude-André Lachance
became the youngest-ever MP, and New Democrat
Pierre-Luc Dusseault beat that record in 2011). He rose quickly through the ranks of the party and was seen as a future cabinet minister or even leader. He was re-elected in 1974
.
However, in 1977, O'Sullivan surprised many political observers when he announced that he was leaving politics to enter the Roman Catholic priesthood, eventually becoming Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Toronto
, as well as publisher of The Catholic Register newspaper.
O'Sullivan learned he was suffering from leukemia
in 1983. After treatment, the disease was in remission and he resumed his busy career. In 1986, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
. With the return of his illness in 1989, O'Sullivan entered Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto
for a bone marrow transplant. He died there on March 9, 1989, aged 37.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(January 1, 1952 – March 9, 1989) was a Canadian politician who left politics and became a Roman Catholic priest.
Born in 1952 in Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, O'Sullivan showed an interest in politics at a young age: when he was 11 years old he worked for Ellen Fairclough
Ellen Fairclough
Ellen Louks Fairclough, was the first female member of the Canadian Cabinet.Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Fairclough was a chartered accountant by training, and ran an accounting firm prior to entering politics...
in her election campaign and met John Diefenbaker
John Diefenbaker
John George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
for the first time. He was educated at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School
Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School
Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School is a Catholic high school located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and is part of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board.-History:...
and Brock University
Brock University
Brock University is a comprehensive university located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Brock offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs that include co-op and other experiential learning opportunities to an enrolment of over 17,000 full-time students.The enabling legislation is...
in St. Catharines. In 1970, at age 18, he was chosen as president of the Young Progressive Conservatives
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
of Canada.
In 1971, Diefenbaker appointed O'Sullivan as his executive assistant, and in the 1972 election
Canadian federal election, 1972
The Canadian federal election of 1972 was held on October 30, 1972 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 29th Parliament of Canada. It resulted in a slim victory for the governing Liberal Party, which won 109 seats, compared to 107 seats for the opposition Progressive...
, the 20-year-old O'Sullivan was elected the Progressive Conservative MP for the riding of Hamilton—Wentworth
Hamilton—Wentworth
Hamilton—Wentworth was a provincial electoral district represented in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1934 to 1971.It was located in the province of Ontario.-Members of Provincial Parliament:...
, becoming the youngest member of the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
ever at that point (in 1974
Canadian federal election, 1974
The Canadian federal election of 1974 was held on July 8, 1974 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 30th Parliament of Canada. The governing Liberal Party won its first majority government since 1968, and gave Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau his third term...
, Liberal Claude-André Lachance
Claude-André Lachance
Claude-André Lachance is a former Canadian politician and was, until the 2011 federal election, the youngest person, at age 20, to be elected to the Canadian House of Commons....
became the youngest-ever MP, and New Democrat
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
Pierre-Luc Dusseault beat that record in 2011). He rose quickly through the ranks of the party and was seen as a future cabinet minister or even leader. He was re-elected in 1974
Canadian federal election, 1974
The Canadian federal election of 1974 was held on July 8, 1974 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 30th Parliament of Canada. The governing Liberal Party won its first majority government since 1968, and gave Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau his third term...
.
However, in 1977, O'Sullivan surprised many political observers when he announced that he was leaving politics to enter the Roman Catholic priesthood, eventually becoming Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, as well as publisher of The Catholic Register newspaper.
O'Sullivan learned he was suffering from leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
in 1983. After treatment, the disease was in remission and he resumed his busy career. In 1986, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. With the return of his illness in 1989, O'Sullivan entered Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
for a bone marrow transplant. He died there on March 9, 1989, aged 37.