Arthur Art O. Bissell

Arthur “Art” Oswald Bissell, 95, of Syracuse, passed away Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. Born in Oneida, NY, he was the son of the late Shannon Wilson Bissell and Ahlene S. (Harrig) Bissell. When very young, the Bissell Family lived on a houseboat before eventually moving to 37 W. Oneida Street in Baldwinsville, where Art grew up. Art served in the US Navy from 1939-1943. He was a dynamic swimmer, and served as a Lifeguard. He sailed aboard the USS Arkansas, sailed around the Caribbean, and served in Iceland and Venezuela. After discharge from the US Navy, Art became a member of Jehovah's Witnesses, where he met his wife of 53 years, Pauline (Cromp) Bissell. Art worked construction for over 40 years. He belonged to International Union Operating Engineers, Local 545 in Syracuse, NY. A Grad-All Operator, he worked many projects along the St. Lawrence Seaway-including Barnhart Island and Wellesley Island. He worked in Operations at the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power Plant in Oswego, NY, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Syracuse, NY. Art loved Nature, especially Trees and Birds. He could name them all! He was very proud of his vegetable gardens.

Art was predeceased by his wife, Pauline in 2003, and 2 grandchildren, Joshua G. Bissell in 1995, and Rebecca L. Caraway in 1999. Art was also predeceased by 3 siblings; brothers, Lincoln and Douglas, and sister, Betty.

He is survived by his wife of 7 years, the former Sylvia DiGiacomo, and his 8 children with Pauline: his 3 sons, Mark, of Syracuse, NY, Nathaniel (Georgeanne), of Marcellus, NY, and Timothy (Elaine), of N. Fort Myers, FL, 5 daughters, Valerie Kotyra, of Houston, TX, Rachel Bissell, of Altamonte Springs, FL, Esther (Donald) Kammer, of Sterling, NY, Bethany Bissell, of Baldwinsville, NY and Amy Davis, of Syracuse, NY. Art is survived by 17 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother, Shannon Bissell, of Sodus Point, NY.

The Family wishes to THANK the VA Medical Center and Van Duyn Rehabilitation Center for their wonderful care and support.

Family and friends may call from 1 to 2 pm Saturday, October 31st with a memorial service immediately following at 2:00 pm at the Syracuse South Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1900 W. Fayette St. Syracuse, NY 13204.