Charles N. Sisson

Charles N. “Charlie” Sisson, 61, of Dartmouth, passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2010 at Sippican Healthcare in Marion following a courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of Irene (Lavoie) Sisson with whom he shared 33 years of marriage.

Born in Acushnet, a son of the late Kenneth and Margaret (Mitchell) Sisson, he was a lifelong resident of Dartmouth. Mr. Sisson served in the United States Naval Reserve and was honorably discharged.

Mr. Sisson served as the executive director of Coastline Elderly Services, Inc. for 31 years. He was passionate about his job and the role he played in launching innovative programs and services for elders. Under his leadership, Coastline evolved from a small homecare agency to the Aging Services Access Point and Area Agency on Aging for the Greater New Bedford region. This made a tremendous mark in ensuring that elders could live in dignity, in their own homes, as long as possible. Mr. Sisson did not take the role of advocate lightly. He fought long and hard serving as the “voice” for the interests of elders in Massachusetts.

Mr. Sisson proposed many ideas and would often be referred to fondly as a “visionary” and was instrumental in the construction of the Carriage House at Acushnet Heights, a 34-unit supportive housing was constructed.

He served as first vice president and then president of the statewide Mass Home Care Association, where he worked with other elder advocates, such as Al Norman, executive director of Mass Home Care, who remembers Mr. Sisson as “a compassionate man who fought for every penny of new resources for the elderly”.

In 2005, Mr. Sisson was designated the delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. He not only represented elders locally, but also later went on to become President of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) in Washington, becoming only the second person form New England to serve in that capacity and supporting the network of 629 Area Agencies on Aging. He also served as first vice president and treasurer and recently received the 2010 President’s Award of Excellence.

Recently, he was also recognized for his longstanding partnership with the Social Security Administration in helping to educate the local community about recent legislative changes which significantly impact their lives. Specifically, he was honored for his effort in implementing Part D of Medicare, especially the Extra-Help (Low Income Subsidy) program, which has helped countless beneficiaries pay their Part D premiums, deductibles and co-payments.

Mr. Sisson also served on the Dartmouth Housing Authority as Chairman, where he, along with other members, worked to acquire the former state police barracks at State Road and Champion Terrace for veterans housing.

Mr. Sisson served as coach for the Dartmouth Girls Softball League, Dartmouth Youth Soccer Association and the Dartmouth Youth Activity Association. He served as adult advisor for the Neemat Lodge Order of the Arrow, was scoutmaster and executive board member and cub master at Moby Dick Council and Boy Scouts of America. He served as a Student Advisory Commissioner at the Mass Board of Community Colleges, a member of the Commonwealth of Mass Board of Community Colleges and member of the Dean of Student Committee. He was the recipient of the Silver Shield Award for Outstanding Service to the Community and the Moby Dick Council Boy Scouts of America, Silver Beaver Award and Cachalot District Award of Merit.

Surviving in addition to his wife is a son, Matthew Sisson and his wife Lindsey of Waltham; a daughter, Corey Sisson of Dartmouth; a brother, Kenneth Sisson Jr. of Merrimac, MA; two sisters, Susan Ross of Cross Lake, MN and Martha Moulton of Evans, CO; and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 from 4-8pm in the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd, Dartmouth. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Charles N. Sisson Men’s Fund, c/o Coastline Elderly Services, 1646 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740.