Burt Alan Sellers

Burt Alan Sellers, PhD, 78, passed away peacefully at home in Sanford, Florida, on May 5, 2025 after a lengthy illness. Burt was born in Buffalo, NY, on May 27, 1946 to his loving parents Eleanor Hoffman Sellers Bender and Burt Neil Sellers. After the passing of Burt Neil Sellers, he was raised by his kind and loving stepfather Norman Bender. After graduating from the University of Buffalo with a love of science, Burt became a biology teacher at Tonawanda High School. His students loved him and he was awarded the 1979 Teacher of the Year in the City of Tonawanda. Dr. Sellers believed that a sense of belonging is of crucial importance in adolescence and helped his students to feel cared for by actively listening to them. His love of education and the desire to support both students and teachers led Burt to obtain his Doctorate in Education from the University of Buffalo. He was hired as the Vice Principal at Amherst High School. These important five years prepared him for his next role as Principal of Maryvale Middle School. An example of Burt's amazing way of inspiring others to reach their best selves includes when he “rocked on the rooftop” of the Maryvale Middle School for reading. His promise to read, sitting in a rocking chair, on the school’s roof helped inspire his middle school students to reach their goals in a year-long reading program that was a huge success (the students read a combined 390,928 pages, averaging 591 pages per student in sixth, seventh and eighth grades)! Burt’s caring, innovative, optimistic and professional attitude was exemplified by the work he accomplished with his therapy dog, Dora, who spent four years at Maryvale Middle. This therapy work allowed students to read to Dora, do their homework with her, walk her and help to train her. He continued this partnership with his dogs, Doofus and Hope, bringing joy and companionship to hospitalized patients and elders living in nursing homes. Burt was honored and awarded throughout his career and enjoyed speaking engagements in which he could share his vast knowledge with others. He was a member of the honorary educator’s fraternity Phi Delta Kappa International. Burt received the Jenkins Memorial PTA Award for Middle and High School in 1985 in Appreciation of Exceptional Service to Young People. He received the Community Award at both the Amherst, NY, School District in 1985 and the Maryvale, NY, School District in 1994. Burt was given the Maryvale Community Service Award in 1994 for the development of the fitness and activity centers at the Middle School, creation of a peer mediation model for students, leadership in supporting the World University Games, and his unwavering support at middle school functions. He received the 1994 Cheektowaga Action Partnership Award for his involvement with the criminal justice committee. In 1996, Dr. Sellers was appointed to a three year commitment with the National Association of Secondary School Principals to assist in the redesigning of “The High School for the 21st Century.” Burt was a featured speaker at the New York State Middle School Conference in Niagara Falls, NY in 2002 on the topic, “The Use of a Therapy Dog in Middle School.” The SPCA, in 2004, presented Dr. Sellers with the Judy Silver Humane Educator of the Year for Excellence in Providing Lessons of Kindness and Compassion to Children. Burt was published in professional journals and held membership on many boards including Clarence High School Band Boosters, University of Buffalo’s Medical School Parents Council, Crystal Beach Hill Cottage Association, Cheektowaga Police Advisory Board, Cheektowaga Action Partnership, Life Member of the National PTA, Friends of the Wekiva River, Friends of Crystal Beach, and 2006 Commodore of the Buffalo Canoe Club. Burt’s favorite hobby was as a Crystal Beach Amusement Park historian and collector. He collected thousands of Crystal Beach postcards, photographs and numerous memorabilia. During his retirement, he enjoyed giving presentations about the amusement park at Crystal Beach. Burt’s other favorite pastime was cheering on his beloved Buffalo Bills! His family has many happy memories of going to games in Orchard Park with Burt and also lying around on the carpet in the living room rooting for the Bills! Burt is survived and was supported by his wife of 53 years, Roslyn Purcell Sellers, daughter Ellyn Sellers-Selin MD (Steve), son Burt James “BJ” Sellers (Tracy), grandchildren Hickory Selin, Adelaide Sellers, Wren Selin, and Olive Sellers. A Celebration of Burt’s life will take place in Point Abino, Ontario later in the summer. In lieu of flowers, if desired, please donate to: Alzheimer’s Association https://tinyurl.com/alzheimers-donation Parkinson’s Association https://support.apdaparkinson.org/ Plant Trees for Impact https://onetreeplanted.org/

Burt Alan Sellers

May 27, 1946 - May 5, 2025