Former postmaster George Bissett passes

Craig Funeral Home Crematory and Memorial Park Funeral Operations Manager, Russell D. Hall, LFD, announced to Historic City News that George William Bissett, 88, of St. Augustine, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2011, surrounded by his family at the Bailey Family Care Center.

Born on February 11, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he had resided in St. Augustine for the past 55 years.

He attended Rollins College,earning a degree in Economics, while also receiving the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award in recognition of his “remarkable character and integrity” and his “commitment of service to others.” Following graduation, he resided in Orlando and worked his way up to Vice President with the Tupperware Company.

George proudly served for the United States Coast Guard on LST 206 between December 1943 and July 1945 in the Asiatic-Pacific theater during WWII. His ship earned six battle stars for action in operations in New Guinea, Leyte Gulf and Borneo.

He later moved to St. Augustine, where in 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed him Postmaster of St. Augustine, a position he held for over 24 years until retiring in 1985.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm at Craig Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Dr. Pat Turner-Sharpton, officiating. Visitation will be held 5-7 pm Thursday at Craig Funeral Home. Burial will be in Craig Memorial Park. Flowers are gratefully declined please make contributions in his memory to the Bailey Family Center for Caring c/o Community Hospice 4266 Sunbeam Rd Jacksonville, FL 32257

George is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Thelma Wolfe Bissett;four children, Marilyn Tenney (Ken), Barbara Weiss (Bart), George W.Bissett, Jr. (Lynn), and Cathy Burkhardt (Brookes); thirteen grandchildren David Tenney (Bryn), Amy Tenney Barto, and Kenneth Tenney; AaronWeiss (Ann) and Laura Weiss; William and Cassandra Bissett; and Beth, Stephanie, Catie, Sarah, Brookes, III, and Christian George Burkhardt; and five great-grandchildren Donnie, Ryan and Joel Barto; and Emily and Benjamin Weiss. George also had two sisters, Grace Williamson (Robert)and the late Lillian Cheponis (Al). George is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in law, Judge Howell and Catherine Melton, Douglas and Anne Wolfe, and many nieces and nephews.

George was well known for his kind, gentle demeanor, faithfulness, patience, his ever-present sense of humor, and love of family and friends. He loved taking his four children camping in state parks in north Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Later, George and Thelma enjoyed touring throughout the United States in their motor home where they enjoyed making new friends along the way. They especially loved the majestic mountains of the Grand Tetons and the Smokey Mountains, where they spent many summers together in their mountain home just outside of Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

George Bissett will truly be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have met him during his long, full life. George and Thelma’s favorite quote was “love lasts a lifetime,” and their love proved it true.

Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of the arrangements.