James K. Sisson

James K. Sisson, 81, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Erie, PA on August 23, 1935, a son of the late Earl and Anna Shup Sisson.

Jim graduated from Girard’s Rice Avenue Union High School in 1952. He had an exemplary academic career and sports career on the football and baseball teams, and also playing Junior Legion baseball.

He graduated from Thiel College in Greenville, PA in 1957, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, playing football and baseball and enjoying his membership in Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

Jim married the former Nancy Peckham on March 25, 1955, and together they raised six children.

Jim taught for the Girard School District from 1957 to 1993. During this time, he served as president for the Girard Federation of Teachers for several years. He also coached baseball, football, basketball and track, having a direct influence on many standout students.

Around 1959, Jim became the first coach for the Erie Lakers, a semi-professional football team based in Erie, the first year ending in a 7-2 record.

From 1957 to 1965, he was the head coach for Girard’s baseball team, culminating in six Erie County League Championships.

From 1967 to 1974, Jim was the head football coach for RAUHS, and was the head County coach for the City/County Save-An-Eye football game in 1972. He coached football again for Girard High in the early ‘80s, achieving a winning record.

From 1979 to 1993, Jim also coached Girard’s Junior Varsity boys’ basketball team and was the assistant Varsity basketball coach, ending his coaching career with two PA State Championships and coming in second place two other years.

He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, breeding championship Beagles and Brittany Spaniels. He taught Hunter Safety courses for young hunters for many years, and held offices, including president, in the Albion Area Sportsmen’s Club up until late in 2006. He was a member of their Trap Shooting League and was considered an excellent shot.

He was a lifetime member of the NRA, a member of the Pennsylvania Gun Owner’s Association and was the Judge of Elections for Girard Township for many years.

After retirement, Jim wrote a local column, The Great Outdoors, in which he shared his observations about hunting, wildlife and the environment.

Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Nancy A. Peckham Sisson; his three daughters, Valerie (Jack Pesta) of Girard, Diane (Michael Legeza) of Conneaut, Ohio, Pamela (Chuck Stevens) of Albion; his three sons, Darrel (Tina Lovell) Sisson of Edinboro, Lawrence ‘Larry’ (Wendy Richards) Sisson of Albion, and Robert ‘Bob’ Sisson (Julie Sanders) of Girard; his sister, Patricia Raffensberger of Girard; his brother, David (Emily ‘Mimi’ Martini) Sisson of Destin, Florida; 16 grandchildren: Daniel (Laura Novosel), Kimberly (Matt Kelly) and Victoria Pesta; Jebediah, Hunter and Cooper (Casey Hamilton) Legeza; Taylor and RJ Sisson; Makenna, Kelli and Carter Stevens; Hannah, Kacie Jo and Ethan Sisson; Anna and Nicholas Sisson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends may call at the Edder Funeral Home, 309 E. Main St, Girard, PA on Saturday, March 25 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will held there on Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m. Interment will be held at the Sisson farm following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Girard Federation of Teachers Scholarship Fund, 1135 Lake Street, Girard, PA 16417 or to the PA Game Commission, Hunter Safety Instruction, c/o Northwest Region Office, Attn: Regis Senko, PO Box 31, Franklin, PA 16323.

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