Dear Loved Ones,
I have come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me. Why cry for one who has been set free? Miss me but not with your head bowed low. Remember the love we have shared over the years and the beautiful life the Lord has blessed me with. This is a journey we all must take and each must go it alone without our outside loves, but with the knowledge that we are going to a better place and that they will be coming along behind us. It’s all part of the Master’s plan, one step along the road to home. So when you are sad and sick at heart, go to our friends and relatives and do good things. Miss me but let me go.
Much love,
Sandy
What Sandy Showed Me, a blog posting by Joe Mazzola, Vice President, CEP >>
See photos >>
Tributes
Charles C. Haynes
Director, Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum & CEP Board Chair
Your wonderful gift to the CEP endowment in honor of Randy touches my heart — and inspires me to work even harder to carry forward the work of CEP. Of course, your greatest gift is the example you have set over the years of commitment, courage and compassion. Thanks to you, character education is on the national agenda — and thanks to your latest gift, we have the opportunity to bring character education to more and more schools across the nation.
I am deeply grateful to you Sandy for your leadership and friendship over the years — leading by example and providing constant inspiration to all in your CEP family. The many amazing schools that have been inspired (and who will be inspired) by CEP are your lasting gift to our country. More important, the students of character who graduate from these schools will be a tremendous force for good for America and the world.
You understand better than anyone I have ever known that a nation’s character is defined by the character of its people.
Sending you and Pris loving wishes. You are now and always will be close in my heart.
Mark Hyatt
President and CEO, Character Education Partnership
“Sandy McDonnell is a true American hero and patriot. Few humans had such a unique combination of business acumen, compassion for his fellowman and overt civic responsibility. He used to quote de Tocqueville: “America is great because she is good”. In my opinion America is great because Sandy McDonnell blessed us with his time, talent and treasure.”
Tom Lickona
Director, Center For The 4th And 5th Rs
God rest his good and generous soul, and may his faithful service to God and neighbor continue to inspire us all.
Anne Bryant
Executive Director, National School Boards Association & CEP Board Member
Heaven has just become a better place. The angels have welcomed Sandy with open arms and wings… he is at peace, AND he is watching over all of us, reminding us of his final message. Constantly… Anne B
Eileen Santiago
Principal (Ret.), Thomas Edison Elementary School & CEP Board Member
Although his passing did not come as a surprise to members of the CEP Brd, we are all deeply saddened by his passing. I feel that we have all benefitted and grown from having worked with him over the years on a cause he cared so deeply about-“kids, character, and a commitment to excellence.”
Kristie Fink
Secondary English Language Arts/Literacy Specialist, (6-12)
Granite School District, Salt Lake City, UT
Tribute to Sandy McDonnell
It isn’t often that a man of Sandy’s stature comes along—stature spawned from intellect and character. Sandy turned his retirement into a second career and a quest to encourage our nation’s schools to return to their fundamental mission of educating for character development, along with academic achievement. His work has had an incredible impact on the lives of young people all across the country—an impact that will continue to reach across generations. I am heartbroken at his loss, but am sustained by the memory of his greatness. He made significant contributions to the aerospace industry, but found a second career in retirement with his self-discovery that character education would be his other great contribution to humanity. God speed Sandy. May your light continue to shine on all of us forever.
Jonathan Cohen
President, National School Climate Center
I was not as privileged as many of you to know Sandy over the years.
I am deeply moved by his words. In a range of ways….I do know about the process and experiences of dying….. and Sandy’s words reflect a maturity, a rich and wise character, and his being an extraordinary teacher…to the end….. I am very moved… and feel privileged to be in the company of so many good people and projects that are focused on supporting understanding and learning for children and those of us who parent/teach/guide children…
Ron Berger
Chief Program Officer, Expeditionary Learning
I was so sorry to hear the news of Sandy’s passing. There was a sparkle and a kindness in Sandy’s eyes that seemed be always present when he was with us. I will miss him. I hope we can honor him by keeping that spirit alive in our work. It is a noble mission. With great respect for the good work that you are all doing,
Charles Elbot
Principal, Denver Public Schools
Sandy stood tall with dignity to the very end and part of what was so special about him is that he was who he was with everyone watching. No easy feat, indeed. May we all be inspired by a life lived well.
Maurice J. Elias
Professor of Psychology and Internship Coordinator, Rutgers University
As an EAC member but, more importantly, an admirer of Sandy and Pris, and someone who was privileged to once be hosted in their home, I extend my prayers and wishes at this difficult hour. Sandy has lived a life of tremendous dignity and continues to be an inspiration through every stage of his life. Individuals like him, and couples like Sandy and Pris, do not come along often enough. What an aspiration for educators to hope to inspire such lives of integrity, service, character, and caring- -Maurice
Clifton Taulbert
President, The Building Community Institute & The Freemount Corporation
It was indeed a pleasure to know Sandy and to experience the depth of his generosity. Just last week at a family funeral which included old retired African-American men from McDonald-Douglas….Sandy’s even-handed leadership was still being praised as if they had just experienced it the day before. His chosen path ran through all the places of his life. Sandy, thank you for making the lights from the City on a Hill shine brighter.
Karen Geller
Principal Grades 5 & 6, Upper Merion Area Middle School
I first met Sandy when Upper Merion Area Middle School was awarded National School of Character. He was extremely personable and gracious, wanting to hear the story of our growth in character education. Sandy was interested in our data as well as the many anecdotes about our students. I could feel his warmth and his dedication and vision for making the world a better place. Sandy was an inspiration to all of us as a strong role model for integrity and caring. He will be remembered by generations for his many gifts to society.
Kathy Beland
Executive Director, School-Connect
. . . Sandy really stands out in my experience working for CEP as a great and generous man who followed his passions and values. He will be greatly missed.
Julea Douglass
Associate Director, School-Connect
What a beautiful man. He will be deeply missed.
Val Gallina
Prevention Office, Commitment to Character
My heart goes out to his family, CEP and the lives of all of those Sandy touched. What a magnificent exemplar and life teacher. I will forever remember his last words.
Merle Schwartz
Director of Program, Laureate Education, Inc.
In death, as in life, he was a deeply caring man. Amazing person. Just knowing him was a blessing.
Lara Maupin
Director, National Schools of Character, CEP
What a generous, insightful, and caring man. What an amazing impact he has had – not just on all of us who were fortunate enough to meet him or know him – but on so many kids and teachers who never met him. It’s hard to think about the Forum without his smile, his hugs, his kind words, his sparkle and light. He will be so greatly missed — but we will honor him by continuing what he started.
Suzy Ward
Missouri State Schools of Character Coordinator, CHARACTERplus
It is a sad time for all of us. And yet what an inspiring reminder of what a difference one person can make and the ripple effect they can have on others and the world.
Johnny Good
CEO, Good Company Communications
I only knew him a short time but felt a very strong connection to both he and his lovely wife. I wish we could have a country full of men and women with these qualities. He is what makes me proud to be an American in every way.
Linda Morris
President, Lead for Success
The world is a better place because he lived and we’re better people because we crossed his path.
Ashley Ward
Charmm’d Foundation
He was certainly a respected leader and created an incredible legacy!
Stephen Rensink
York Region District School Board
On behalf of the York Region District School Board our condolences to both the Partnership and Sandy’s family. A sad day for all and yet such an amazing, wonderful life to remember.
Barbara Luther
Director of Professional Development, CEP
Sandy was a giant of a man who exuded leadership and kindness wherever he went. His legacy is his passion and deeply thoughtful nature about the development of character and good citizenship which truly made a difference for untold thousands. For me, I knew a gentle man with a zest for living expressed in the joyous twinkle in his eyes as he engaged in sunny conversation. Simply put, he inspired me professionally and personally.
Philip M. Brown, Ph.D.
President, NJ Alliance for Social, Emotional and Character Development, Rutgers University
It was so like Sandy McDonnell to have managed to give us a farewell message before he died. He was a man who inspired hope and dedication. Being around him made one feel that here was someone who not only believed in the character education mission, but loved being a part of it with his heart and soul. He will be remembered as a founder of CEP because the organization he was so instrumental in creating and nurturing reflects his drive for meaningful standards, sharing of practice and supportive recognition. A final tip of my hat to someone who knew how to make a difference.
Sheri Miller
Executive Director, The Charmm’d Foundation
The first time I talked with Sandy over the phone, before we could get on to any business, he had to know my family dynamics and know if I was happy. I am guessing he had quite a good family relationship and left this earth happy for with that accomplishment, his business accomplishments and all of what has been done and will be done with CEP. Nice.
Lynn Moore, M.Ed
teAm Initiative Coach
This is a great loss; I am feeling sorrow! I can only imagine what you and the staff at CEP must be feeling to have lost such a treasured, special leader and friend. My thoughts are with all of you. Thank you so much for thinking of me and informing me of Sandy’s passing. I can’t help but think of his wife and family. Sandy was such a GOOD man and certainly used his life and the blessings life bestowed on him to make a difference in this world. We certainly need more Sandy’s in this world. He leaves a remarkable legacy!
