John Bissaillon , VRHS Class of 1983
Clifton Park - John R. Bissaillon, 61, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 14th 2026, surrounded by his family and loved ones. John was born on March 17th 1965 in Albany, NY to John H. Bissaillon and the late Mary (Fernandez) Bissaillon. Survivors include his beloved wife of 41 Years Tina (Palella) Bissaillon, sons, Raymond (Krystal) Bissaillon and Sean Bissaillon; daughter, Sara (Casey) O'Hara; sisters, Diane (Gary) Stevens and Cathy (Tom) Carney. John was blessed and deeply adored by his six grandchildren; Mia, Julianna, Raymond, Julian, Brynleigh, and Talia, and also loved by many nieces, nephews, lots of family and long time friends. At the age of 18, John proudly joined and served in the U.S. Marine Reserves for six years. He worked in his father's window cleaning business for many years before becoming a member of the Iron Workers Local Union #12.. Over the course of his 38 years with the Union, John loved working on all of the many bridges and buildings, alongside his fellow ironworker brothers, and he did indeed feel they were like his second family. He loved being up on the bridges, the higher the better, he loved the views. John was working down in NYC when 9-11 happened and all the ironworkers that day were called to Ground Zero, with their cranes, to help in the search and recovery. With no experience in that situation, he felt honored to be able to help, again working alongside his brothers for the greater good, tucking away their own fears of what was in front of them, they went to work to help get done what they could. He always tried to help anyone out as best he could. His last 10 years were spent holding office positions in the Union Hall as President, Business Manager and Vice President. He was honored to be elected and proud to serve in these positions, but inside, he always missed the freedom he felt being up on the steel. John's happiest times were always with his family, especially the many Sunday dinners he'd host with Tina and have the family all over. He loved playing around with the grandkids and teaching them how to play sports, chess and anything involving history or the Catholic faith, which he had a special devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints. John was a registered member of St. Joseph's Church in Troy, where he loved attending the Latin Mass on Sundays with his family. His devotion to the old rite was a strong one and he loved helping around the church and volunteering in various capacities. He was also a longtime member of the Rensselaer Knights of Columbus, another extended family to him, and a brotherhood where he cherished the friendships with those he grew up with and tried to give back when he could. He enjoyed helping with the Lenten Fish Fry Friday's, he wasn't one for the busyness of the kitchen, but he could answer the phone and take the orders, so in his own way, he always tried to help, and his heart was always in the right place. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Mass on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, 12:00PM at St Joseph's Church 416 3rd St Troy, NY 12180. Calling hours are on Wednesday, Oct. 21st., from 4:00pm - 7:00pm in the Wm. J. Rockefeller Funeral Home, 165 Columbia Tpk. Rensselaer. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery Menands, NY In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation in John's name to the American Heart Association or to St. Joseph's Church in Troy.