Andrew Bissanti Laid to Rest

Andrew Bissanti’s wake drew a large attendance Thursday evening at the Ginley Funeral Home, including the present composition of the Town Council, on which he formerly served, and others involved in town government, including Design Review Commission member, KP Sompally. Andrew Bissanti’s funeral began at 10 AM on Friday at Saint Mary’s.

Again, some representatives of town government were in evidence but the substantial majority of mourners appeared to be family, friends, and professional colleagues. Toward the end of the Roman Catholic service, Vanessa Bissanti, one of his three daughters, delivered an emotional eulogy that focused on her pride in her father, and his reliability as a family man and companion to his grandchildren.

But she then veered into his public career, an extension of his personal life, in which she said he tried to help anyone in need and often succeeded. She recounted how many phone calls she had received in recent days from individuals helped by her father.

Following conclusion of the service, Mr. Bissanti’s funeral procession went down Beaver Street where, opposite the entrance to Saint Mary’s Cemetery, a supporter and friend, Wayne Brodsky, had posted several of his political signs – a gesture that plainly pleased family and friends driving past.

At the graveside service, in addition to a crowd of family, friends, and colleague, Mr. Bissanti’s Dobermannn Pinscher, Brody, came, courtesy of a local grooming service that transported him there.