DONALD SCHISSLER
NEWPORT - Donald Schissler, 61, passed away March 4, 2003, at his Williams Road residence after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born July 9, 1941, at New Britain, Conn., son of Enos and Gertrude (Schubert) Schissler. He attended Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield and served in the U. S. Army from 1965-1967 in Vietnam with the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, Headquarters Troop, Fort Mead, Md. On August 7, 1970, he married Jane Freese of Corinna. Don was a local building contractor in the Newport area for 30 years. He enjoyed, with his son Scott, hunting on their property in Detroit and fishing at Pierce Pond in North New Portland. Don also took great pride in keeping his lawn mowed just a certain way and grooming his flower garden to perfection. He was an avid football fan, and his life-long favorite team was the New York Giants. In 1989, Don and Scott drove to Foxboro to watch the New England Patriots and New York Giants play their last game of the season. The New York Giants won that game and went on to win the Super Bowl that year.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; a son, Scott and wife, Nicole Schissler, of Newport; and the pride and joy of his life, a four-year-old granddaughter, Sarah Allison Schissler with whom he colored pictures, read many stories to, and was a willing participant at her tea parties. Don was just "Gaga" to Sarah. Don is also survived by four brothers and their wives, William and Elaine Schissler of Westfield, N.J.; Joseph and Maxine Schissler of Detroit; Enos and Judy Schissler of Etna; and George and Robin Schissler of Detroit; four sisters, Natalie and husband, Fred Braley, of Troy; Elsie and husband, John Autunno, of New Britain, Conn.; Regina Schissler of Detroit and Barbara Schissler of Ross, Texas; several nieces and nephews; five cats, Simon, Zorro, Margaret, Hannah and Ellie Mae; good friends, Paul Fitzpatrick of Troy and Maurice Dodge of Detroit; special golfing buddies, Goody Gilman and John Amoroso, both of Newport, and John Fosdick of Quechee, Vt. He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Schissler Krenisky in 1995.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Thursday at the Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, 117 Main St., Newport. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, March 7, at the People's United Methodist Church, Newport with the Rev. George Darling officiating. Spring burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Newport. Donations may be made to the People's United Methodist Church Vestry Fund, care of Goodwin Gilman, P. O. Box 98, Newport, ME 04953. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home.