JOHN G. KISSANE, Esq.(October 14, 1914-July 19, 2005)

ST. ALBANS — John G. Kissane, Esq., 90, a longtime area resident and prominent attorney, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening July 19, 2005, in his home with his loving family at his side.

He was born in Norwood N.Y. on Oct. 14, 1914, the son of the late Dr. John William and Jessie (Marshall) Kissane. On June 10, 1995, on the shores of Lake Champlain, John married Colleen (Miller) Cushing.

John attended Norwich University in Northfield and graduated from Boston University Law School. He served his country as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific Campaign.

He began his practice of law in 1940, which continues today as Kissane Associates. In 1953 he received Presidential appointment to Collector of Customs, and administered that office simultaneously with his law practice.

In the mid-1950s he was a founding board member of the ski area now know as Smugglers' Notch in Jeffersonville, Vt. Also at that time he was a board member of the new Kerbs Memorial Hospital and instrumental in its founding.

During the late 1950s to mid 1960s he represented many land owners who lost land to development of Interstate 89 through Franklin County.

He was a natural athlete playing football in both high school and college, an avid fisherman and hunter, usually with his long-time friend, "Red" Whiting. At age 53 he began playing tennis, defeating many local doubles-players, playing well into his 80s. A local tennis tournament continues in his name.With, his friend and sports enthusiast, Steve Collins, and later with the gift of Bessie Perley, he became the principal architect of the present Collins-Perley Sports & Fitness Center.

Survivors include his wife, Colleen, of St. Albans; his daughter, Gail Grismore Camisa and her husband, Bob, and her children, Hilary and John Grismore and John's wife, Melissa, and their children, Alexander and Julia, and Bob's children. He also leaves two sons, E. D. "Ted" Kissane and his wife, Karen, of St. Albans and their daughters, Lynsey and Courtney, and J. G. "Jack" Kissane, Jr. and his wife, Rebecca, of Wiley, Texas, and their daughter, Erin Kissane, their son, J.G. "Trey" Kissane, III, and his wife, Diana, and their daughter, Avery; also Colleen's children, Jean Hutchinson and her husband, John, of St. Albans, Steve Cushing and his wife, Cindy, of St. Albans, and Sarah Cushing of Montgomery; special friends, Bud Grismore, Bill Britch, Lionel Bilodeau and many other dear friends.

John was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Dr. M. M. Kissane, and his special cousin, Madeleine Hungerford.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2005 p.m.. at the Collins-Perley Sports & Fitness Center, Route 104, St. Albans with the Reverend Judy Kennedy, pastor of the First Congregational Church officiating.

John's family will receive friends on Friday, July 22, 2005, from 4-7 p.m. at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main St., St. Albans.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Collins-Perley Sports & Fitness Center, 890 Fairfax Road, St. Albans, Vt., 05478 or the St. Albans Area Watershed Association, c/o Barbara Hamm, P.O. Box 1158, St. Albans, Vermont 05478. Messages of condolence and memories are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.