Brandon, Manitoba, Jack Sisson, a well-respected Hall of Famer, passed away at 97 at Hospice Quinte on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
He lived a long, good life and became a father of four children and grandfather of twelve grandchildren.
Highlights
- Jack Sisson, the son of Hattie Mae Riddell and Bertrand Harold Sisson, passed away at 97 on February 5, 2025.
- He met his wife, Elinor Mary Sisson, at Queen’s University and married in Kingston in 1953.
- They raised four children and had become grandparents to twelve grandchildren.
Jack Riddell Sisson played some exhibition games for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL and joined Queen’s University. He was a proud member of the Fort Henry Guard and spent several summers.
After graduation, he accepted a job at Quinte Secondary School and became a highly respected teacher and vice principal. Later, he joined Trenton High School as a principal.
Simultaneously, he mentored young athletes, and some of them continued to keep in touch with him over the years.
Jack was a star athlete in his own right throughout school, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats drafted him after finishing at Queen’s. He led Queen’s Golden Gaels to an Intercollegiate Football championship.
Later, in 1989, he was inducted into the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to sports. He coached intercollegiate football games for several years and then high school football until he was 70.
Jack Sisson’s Family Mourns The Tragic Loss
Jack Sission, the son of Hattie Mae Riddell and Bertrand Harold Sisson, was born on March 29, 1928, in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
He grew up happily on the Prairies with his grandparents, and after his father accepted a new sales job, his family moved to Peterborough, Ontario.
Jack was a long-time athlete, coach, referee, and educator who passed away, living a long life on February 5. The Sisson family has yet to disclose his death cause.
His wife, Elinor, and sister, Shirley Humphreys, predeceased him. He is survived by four children: Susan Merritt, Anne Blaser, Scott Sisson, and Carol Wiggins. He also has twelve grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
His twelve grandchildren are Bradley & Gregory Merritt, Mark & Amy Blaser, Curtis, Matthew, Elizabeth, Alexandra, James & Victoria Sisson, and Christopher & Katie Wiggins.
Likewise, he had a great bond with his nephew, Randy Robson. His family members thanked the staff of Quinte Gardens and the caregivers at BGH and Hospice Quinte, who took care of him.
Got some sad news yesterday that Jack Sisson passed away. Jack was a great educator and administrator.
Floyd Ellis
Burke Funeral Home held Jack’s memorial visitation on February 27, and his celebration of life, followed by a reception, will take place on February 28 at Eastminster United Church.
Similarly, his service will be Live Streamed with access provided on Jack’s obituary site at www.BurkeFuneral.ca.
His family requested a donation instead of flowers be considered to honor his legacy in the community.
Jack Sisson Spent 65 Years With His Wife, Elinor Mary
Jack Sisson met his wife, Elinor Lee, at Queen’s University. They married after graduation in 1953 in Kingston and lived a happy life with their four children.
The married couple had ups and downs but stayed together and supported each other.
After retiring from football, Jack and Elinor often bicycled across Canada and continued to play golf. Despite the busy schedule, Jack somehow managed his time to be present in his family lives.
He was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and his family is privileged to have such a loving head member. Undoubtedly, they will miss him.
His family thanked all his friends and students who took the time to write a note about Jack’s positive influence on their lives. They thoroughly enjoyed reading them.
Furthermore, Elinor Mary Sisson, the daughter of Gertrude Elinor Mary Mahood and John McDonald Lee, was born on March 5, 1932, in Toronto.
Her father was a Queen’s Commerce grad and passed away in a car accident when Elinor was only 5. Later, her mother married Richard Dick Oaks.
She graduated with an Arts degree from Queen’s University and was involved in the community.
Elinor was a big genealogy buff who created an extensive family tree and connected with many of her cousins.
Sadly, she passed away at 88 on April 9, 2019. Burke Funeral Home held her service on April 15, and her celebration of life, followed by a reception, took place at Eastminster United Church on April 16.
Additional Information
- Jack Sisson dedicated more than 30 years of service to students of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.
- He attended PCVI and graduated with a B.A. and a Phys—Ed—degree from Queen’s University.
- The Jack R. Sisson Bursary Award is named to honor Jack Sisson and is awarded annually to one male and one female student-athlete from Quinte S.S.
