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Obituary for John W. Sisco
John W. Sisco was born March 2, 1913 in Edge Hill, Pennsylvania. He was 1 of 7 children born to John Ernest and Anna Victoria Sisco. His brothers and sisters have all preceded him in death. They were: Samuel, Robert, Randolph, Beatrice, Dorothy and Viola.
After spending his earliest years in Crestmont, PA, his family moved to Philadelphia, PA where he attended and graduated from Shoemaker, Jr High and Overbrook High School.
As a young man, John joined the C.C.C. (Civilian Conservation Corps). There in Benezette, PA he worked hard cutting down trees and clearing paths for new roads. Some years later, he was able to get a job as a clerk for Food Fair Stores (later called Pantry Pride). His hard work and industriousness enabled him to be promoted to Produce Manager.
It was during those years that he met the love of his life, Ellen Nora Richardson. They were married on March 22, 1944. From this union 3 sons were born, John, Ronald and Warren. They were married 44 years until the death of his wife in 1988.
John loved gardening and sports. He actively participated in baseball, golf, bicycling and swimming.
In the 1940's, while working at Food Fair, a baseball team was formed. Because of John's ability to play and his friendly demeanor, he was asked to play on an all-white team. One year when his Northern Region team played the Southern Region for the Championship in Maryland, the Southern Region refused to play because John was on the team. The Food Fair executives who were in attendance, told the Southern Region players if they didn't play, they would lose their jobs. They played and lost 2 Championship games to John's team in 1947 and 1948.
In the early 60's, John's wife became one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Although John did not, he would often attend some of the Circuit and District Assemblies because he would drive her and some of the "friends" to those meetings.
In the 1970's, John used his position at Pantry Pride to donate food supplies to some of the Circuit Assemblies of Jehovah's Witnesses held in South Philadelphia.
John remained very active, even in his 90's. It was his routine to drive himself to the pool and go swimming 3 days a week, no matter what the weather conditions were. An accidental fall injured his shoulder at the age of 95 preventing him from swimming.
John leaves to mourn his loss: sons John, Ronald and Warren; 2 daughters-in-law, Mildred and Gloria; 2 grandchildren, Claudia and Marcus; 3 great-grandchildren, Brittany, D'Angelo and Aryana and 1 great-great grandchild, Trenton.
Memorial Service to be held Monday, March 19, 2012 7:00 PM Wood Funeral Home Chapel.
