Robert Sisco

Robert L. Sisco passed away peacefully on January 19, 2004.

Robert led a life full of zest and love for people, with an unusually large number of close friends and significant experiences. He was born in Mt. Vernon, NY on March 12, 1952, son of Frank, Sr. and Eleanor Sisco, where he lived for many years in a three-family house with parents and brother, grandparents and uncle, Joseph and Sarah Sisco, now deceased, and surviving cousins, Joseph Sisco and Debra Ciasco.

Robert was hearing-impaired from as early as two years old and yet excelled in public schools, with extra help provided by deaf organizations such as the New York League of Hard of Hearing in Manhattan where he attended special tutoring several times per month, brought there by his parents. From a very young age, he showed a determination to succeed and experience a full life. He attended Columbus School in Mt. Vernon and graduated from Isaac E. Young and New Rochelle High School in New Rochelle, NY where he lived with his parents. He graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology and its technical institute for the deaf, and also attended Pace College. Robert had a dual major of packaging science and chemical technology and applied his skills in large corporations, including General Foods and Best Foods. He excelled at communicating his ideas and developing new processes in companies despite the challenges of being hearing-impaired.

Robert significantly helped people who were deaf or disabled via various positions doing interpreting, signing, tutoring and working as an advocate in several nonprofit organizations. Whenever help was needed, Robert extended his hand and his heart. He was very much loved and will be greatly missed.

Robert’s zest for life was pervasive, from the heightened celebration of each holiday and event to his frequent travels, including trips to Italy, France and England. Everything Robert did, he did well and with lots of energy, including living in Manhattan and having hobbies such as genealogy, the arts, collecting antiques, drawing and writing, made possible by a high intellect and a passion for living.

Robert is survived by his parents, Frank and Eleanor, his brother, Frank, and his wife, Lorrie and daughter, Kelly and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Robert Sisco will be held at Church of the Holy Family, 83 Clove Road, New Rochelle, NY at 10am on Friday, January 23, 2004. Visiting hours are on Wednesday and THursday at 2-4pm and 7-9pm at Yannantuono Burr Davis Sharpe Funeral Home, 584 Gramatan Avenue, Mt. Vernon, NY (914) 699-4010.

(Obituary Submitted by Mark Sikora / Text transcription submitted by Meredith Peruzzi)