Official Name:

FATHER SEAN O'SULLIVAN MEMORIAL PARK

Formerly: Gershome Neighbourhood Park

Location: on Chert Ave., west of Greenhill Ave. and south of King St. E. - Ward 5

Survey Description: 1141 Greenhill Ave.: Concession 3, part of Lot 28, Township of Saltfleet, City of Hamilton, Plan 62M538, Blocks 77, 78, and part of Block 76; 000 Cherryridge Close: Plan 62M480, Block 37

Size: 2.18 hectares (5.39 acres)

Official Naming Date: May 25, 1993

Features: bocce courts, multi-purpose court, playground, spray pad, picnic tables, shelter, walkway

History

This park, with a playground, basketball courts, and playing field, was dedicated to the memory of the late Hamilton politician and priest, Father Sean O'Sullivan. Father Sean was educated at a Hamilton high school as well as Brock University. At 20, Father Sean became Canada's youngest MP and was even made special assistant to Prime Minister Diefenbaker. In 1977, after representing the riding of Hamilton-Wentworth for 5 years as a member of the Conservative Party, Father Sean left a promising political career to become a priest. He studied at the Irish College Seminary at the Vatican, and was ordained in 1981. Unfortunately, Father Sean was found to have leukemia two years later, which proved to be the cause of his death in 1989 when he was 37 years old.

Residents of the Gershome neighbourhood were pleased to choose the name of Father Sean for their park because of their admiration for such a wonderful person. Speaking to the crowd at the park's opening, Duke O'Sullivan said that his brother would have been pleased to lend his name to the park, having grown up in East Hamilton.

It was these same Gershome residents who also formed a neighbourhood committee to clean up the park, which was previously in an undeveloped state.

References:
1. Clipping File. Hamilton - Parks - Father Sean O'Sullivan Memorial Park. Special Collections, HPL.
2. Corporation of the City of Hamilton, Department of Public Works and Traffic, Parks Division, Park Development Section. Parks Master Plan database, 1996.
3. O'Sullivan, Sean. Both My Houses: From Politics to Priesthood. 1986.