George Lincoln Sisson

Bristol, RI - George Lincoln Sisson 89, of 472 Poppasquash Road, Bristol, RI, formerly of Hope Street, Bristol, died Sunday, June 28, 2009, with his wife at his side, at St. Elizabeths Manor, Bristol.He was the husband of Mary Patricia Doyle Sisson. Besides his wife of 50 years, he is survived by his son Mark S. Sisson of Seattle, WA. Born in Portsmouth, RI on August 26, 1919, he was the son of the late George L. and Mary Corcoran Sisson. He was the brother of the late J. Roger Sisson, Lawrence J. Sisson and Nancy E. McGrady.His professional life included many different leadership rolse in radio, televison, and cable television. Among them was his role as owner/operator of WALE in Fall River, and as founder of Rhode Islands first cable system in Westerly in 1965. He went on to develop cable systems elsewhere in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. He was a national director of the National Cable Televison Association in the late 1970s during the launch of C-Span.George Sissons civic involvement in his State and throughout the East Bay was evident in many projects that will continue to be enjoyed by futrue generations of Rhode Islanders and visitors to the State. He helped realize the creation of the East Bay Bike Path, the protection and growth of Coggeshall Farm, the preservation of Linden Place, and the years long effort to restore the Bristol State House. His proudest achievement was his work with Rhode Islands 1986 Constitutional Convention, drafting an article that guaranteed public access to the shoreline and making it possible for individuals to walk the entire lenght of the shoreline throughout Rhode Island.His funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at 10:00 am in St. Marys Church, Wood Street, Bristol.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the following Bristol landmarks: Coggeshall Farm Museum, PO Box 562, the Bristol Historical Society, 48 Court Street: or the Bristol State House Foundation, 10 Court Street, Bristol, RI 02809.