VALE: Anthony John O’Sullivan
July 6, 1944 – May 31, 2025
by PETER FOLEY
TEACHING is at the heart of Tony O’Sullivan’s life and legacy: it profoundly enriched countless lives and left a lasting legacy for his sons and their family.
Dearly loved husband of Susan, he was father and father-in-law to Nick and Amy and Sam and Lauren and treasured Papa of Evie, Lucy, Isla, Sonny and Layla.
Anthony John O’Sullivan died on May 31, aged 80 years and a celebration of his life was held on June 9 at St Mary’s Catholic Church.
Mr O’Sullivan dedicated 21 years to the Ipswich State High School, where he made a lasting impact as a teacher, co-ordinator, leader and organiser.
Tony’s son Nick said that in the last conversation he and his brother Sam had with their dad, they thanked him for how he’d shaped their lives.
“He replied, ‘That’s just what you do’,” Nick said.
“His influence moulded us into the men we are today and directly impacted another five lives of the next generation with his grandchildren.
“As a dedicated teacher with a career spanning 40-plus years, dad directly influenced the lives of thousands, maybe tens of thousands of people and there is no doubt in my mind he changed the world for the better.
“It’s time to rest now dad, after a job bloody well done, and a life beautifully lived.
Nick said his dad always wanted him and Sam to play a sport and an instrument when they were growing up. Nick chose guitar and years later, he still loves playing.
“I had many great years playing in a band with my mates and dad even bought me a 100-watt Marshall half stack amp that I’m sure he may have regretted on a few occasions as the walls of our house shook during band practice,” he said.
“Mum and dad were also the ones who got me into photography. Dad did his research and got me a brilliant camera for my 21st birthday.”
Anthony John O’Sullivan (better known as Tony, Mr O, Dad or Papa) was born in Maryborough on July 6, 1944.
He was the first child for Neville and Evlyn who went on to have a family of six – Lillian, Kevin, Elaine, Peggy and Janet.
At age 13, Mr O’Sullivan left the family home in Gayndah and went to the Christian Brothers boarding college in Gympie where he formed lifelong friendships.
The four years he was at Gympie are referred to by the students as ‘The Golden Years’.
Of the 16 students in the Class of ‘61, there were a number of high achievers.
One of them, Michael Caton, went on to star as Darryl Kerrigan in the classic Aussie film ‘The Castle’, along with a string of unforgettable acting roles.
After finishing school, Mr O’Sullivan moved to Brisbane and took on various jobs to support himself while he studied Economics at the University of Queensland (UQ).
After completing a Bachelor of Economics, he did his one year at Teachers’ College before his first teaching placement at Ipswich State High School.
“Meanwhile, mum was studying for her Diploma in Education at UQ St Lucia, after which she received her first teaching placement, also at Ipswich State High,” Nick said.
“The following year, mum and dad found themselves in the English teachers’ staff room together – which is where they really got to know each other.
“Mum and dad were married in 1980 at St Joseph’s in Corinda. One of their former students once told me they were often referred to as Mr and Mrs Ipswich High.”
After 21 years at Ipswich High, Mr O’Sullivan moved onto another challenge as Deputy Principal of St Mary’s College.
“Towards the end of their careers teaching in secondary schools, dad and mum had the opportunity to work in another school setting, the Alternative Schooling Provision.
“The students, girls and boys, were aged 10 to 15 and for many different reasons were not coping with mainstream schooling.
“The work was extremely challenging, but Dad forged ahead and gave it everything he had.
“After a combined 80 years plus in education between mum and dad, we think they probably have taught half of Ipswich.”
