Gregory Louis Sisson

Gregory Louis Sisson, age 72, of Fall River, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Charlton Memorial Hospital. He was surrounded by family over the five days leading to and including his passing. He was the loving life partner of Joanie Woodward, with whom he shared 28 full and cherished years.

Born in Newport, RI, he was the son of the late James Roger Sisson, Sr. and Jacqueline Marcelle (Hamel) Sisson, generous, larger-than-life parents who raised their children to ride a horse, muck a stable, sing a song, and dance with style.

The family moved to Tiverton, RI, in 1964, where Greg spent his early years going to school and hanging out at "The Wall" at Stonebridge, where he built lifelong relationships. Always deeply social, he was known as "everyone's friend," leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him.

The sixth child of a tight-knit, loving (and sometimes mischievous) set of siblings, Greg distinguished himself early as boldly independent, warm and outgoing, and extremely loyal–traits that defined him over his lifetime. His mother would sometimes say, "He's my favorite problem child."

A strong athlete, Gregory (aka Greg, aka Grego) was a member of the Tiverton Tigers high school football team and active in the ski club. During those same years, he was known as the “King of Middle Avenue” for his supreme–if sometimes reckless–skateboarding skills, long before the sport was on trend.

He grew up loving summers at his grandmother's house on Horseneck Beach in Westport, MA – one of his most favorite places ever. He looked forward to annual gatherings with friends and family at Baker's Beach and would notoriously be the first in line at the snack bar buying several orders of “clam cookies” for all to share.

A talented craftsman and woodworker, Greg built a long and impressive career as a carpenter, working for several firms over the years, most notably his family's business, Concept Builders. He was renowned for his construction site leadership (whether they liked it or not!), his intuition, persistence, and his ability to get things done. The scores of homes and projects that Greg contributed to–from Nantucket to Newport–were all the better through his involvement.

Greg was cool personified: strikingly handsome, enormously talented, and a great dancer (a dominant Sisson gene!). He made post-construction paint-speckled jeans and plaster-dust-flecked hair seem chic on Bowen's Wharf in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Even the notoriously strict Clarke Cooke House dress code made exceptions for Greg. He was the scene.

Greg was an avid, talented and fearless skier. There was no mountain too high, no trail too steep, no terrain too daunting–the more challenging, the better. As fast as he was graceful with the ability to overtake anyone in his path, he relished every run down the slopes, yet would slow his pace, choosing the camaraderie of friends and family over being first to finish.

A passionate lover of music, especially rock 'n' roll, Greg counted the Rolling Stones and Pearl Jam among his favorites. His independent streak showed vividly with his sports team choices: in the heart of New England, he was a big fan of the New York Yankees and the Oakland Raiders.

While Greg found joy in many things—from a gooey jelly donut, sparkling day at the beach, episode of Hogan's Heroes, good story or clever joke—his greatest source of pride and joy by far was his daughter, Christine. Smart, beautiful, and as fearless, funny, talented and loyal as a parent could hope for, Greg sang Christine's praises to anyone who would listen, remarking on her many achievements–from managing boats on the docks of Nantucket and mastering the ski slopes of Colorado to her success in the classrooms of Johnson & Wales.

Greg’s life was graced by his beloved partner Joanie, who showered him with boundless love, care and understanding over many decades.

In addition to Joanie and her family, Greg is survived by his daughter, Christine Madeline Sisson of Nantucket and her mother, Kate Weld; his siblings: James Roger "Jay" Sisson, Jr. and his wife Marisa of Jamestown, RI; Richard Allen Sisson and his wife Donna of Portsmouth, RI; Jacqueline Marcelle Roppolo and her husband Frank of Bridgewater, MA; and Lincoln Paul Sisson and his wife Joanne of Warren, RI. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Robert Settino and his wife Birgit, many nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Greg, and his cousins who will miss him very much.

He was the brother of the late Paula Marie Sisson and Christine Madeline Settino, and the nephew of the late Madeline Hamel, all of whom had tremendous influence on his life.

Gregory will be remembered for his charm, charisma, warmth, sometimes devilish sense of humor, generous friendship, and a huge capacity for love.

Services will be announced in the coming weeks.