Robert E. Bissaillon

09/09/2002

Robert E. Bissaillon, 65, of 800 Sand Mill Road died yesterday at Berkshire Medical Center after suffering a heart attack at home. Born in North Adams on April 20, 1937, son of Arthur W. and Emelda M. Neveu Bissaillon, he was a 1958 graduate of Drury High School. A permanent member of the Army staff attached to the Massachusetts National Guard, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 1992 for outstanding meritorious service from 1967 to 1992. An inveterate entrepreneur, Mr. Bissaillon established R. Bissaillon & Sons Shoestore in 1970. He also established a car wash and was co-owner of CarBiz Car Wash from 1965 to 1977. From 1958 to 1970, he was employed by Berkshire Gas Co. as a meter reader and, later, as a sales representative. He was last employed as a van driver and dispatcher at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts from 1995 to 1998. He was a member of the Adams Town Democratic Committee and a 1972 delegate to the state convention. He enjoyed landscaping and stone wall building. He leaves his wife, the former Jean Hespelein ; three sons, Scott E. Bissaillon of Biddeford, Maine, David R. Bissaillon of Adams, president and chief executive officer of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, and Gary M. Bissaillon of Auburn; a stepson, Theodore Stachura of Adams; a stepdaughter, Donna M. Stachura of Adams; a grandson, and two step-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Robert E. Bissaillon, 65, will be celebrated Thursday, Sept. 12, at 10 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. It will be preceded by a prayer service at 9:15 from MCBRIDE FUNERAL HOME, 6 Liberty St. Burial will be in Bellevue Cemetery. Calling hours will be tomorrow from 4 to 8 at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial donations to the Adams, Cheshire, Savoy Soccer League, P.O. Box 613, Adams, MA 01220, or through the funeral home. Mr. Bissaillon enjoyed attending the soccer, baseball and basketball games of his grandsons.

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