Sumner Bissell Obituary

Sumner Fuller Bissell
Sumner Fuller Bissell, 96 of Bloomfield, died February 11, 2025. He was born April 29, 1928, in West Hartford, CT, the son of Dorothy Fuller Bissell and Charles Spencer Bissell Sr. He was raised in Suffield and lived there most of his life, being very active in town affairs. He also spent many happy summers in Sunapee, NH. He graduated from Choate School, Nichols, Jr. College, and the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his commission as Ensign in the US Navy Reserves having been Naval ROTC at Penn. He served from 1952 to 1954 in the Korean War as Navigator of the U.S.S. White Marsh LSD 8. Following his honorable discharge as Lt. JG he worked at the Hartford Accident and Indemnity Co. before joining Goodwin, Loomis, and Britton Insurance Agency in Hartford, where he eventually became President and Chairman. He had served as a member of the Town of Suffield Board of Finance and a Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners in Suffield. Also served as a Deacon and President of the Second Baptist Church in Suffield and Commodore of the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club in Sunapee, NH. He enjoyed all sports, especially ice hockey. For many years he was involved with the Children's Services Horse Show in Farmington in charge of ribbons, trophies, and all prize money. In addition, he was a longtime member of the Connecticut Traditional Jazz Club, thoroughly enjoying the New Orleans music.
He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Sally Thompson Bissell. He is survived by his four children, Lawrence F. Bissell (Mary) of West Hartford, CT, Lucinda E. Bissell of Farmington, CT, Bradford T. Bissell (Julie) of Naples FL, and Sarah B. Palmer of Stratham, NH. He leaves nine grandchildren, Meghan Bowman (Edward) of Phoenixville, PA, William Bissell of New York, NY, Molly Bissell of West Hartford, CT, Clara Bissell of Middletown, CT, Anna Bissell of Danville, KY, Emma Bissell of Naples, FL, Kelly Palmer of Portsmouth, NH, Spencer Palmer of St. Petersburg, FL, and Owen Palmer of Breckenridge, CO. And three great-grandchildren Madeleine, Henry, and Jack Bowman. He was predeceased by his sisters Emily Loomis of Lexington, MA and Betsy Olmsted of Glastonbury, CT and brother Charles Bissell Jr. of Suffield.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 642, Suffield, CT 06078, The Lake Sunapee Protective Association, PO Box 683, Sunapee, NH 03782, or the Duncaster Foundation, 40 Loeffler Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002. A memorial service with be held on Monday, March 31st at 11:00 a.m. at the Pond House Café, 1555 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, CT. Burial will be private at Woodlawn Cemetery, Suffield, CT. Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home has care of arrangements. To leave on-line condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com .