BEACON FALLS — Paul Barto Kisseberth, 82, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2015 at his home in Beacon Falls, with loving family by his side. Paul is survived by his devoted wife and soul mate of 60 years, Ann Grinton Kisseberth.
Paul was born on July 5, 1932, the only child of Roscoe Paul Kisseberth and Mary Margaret Barto Kisseberth and was raised in McCutchenville, Ohio. The oldest of 13 cousins, Paul was fondly known by many as “Kissy” and to his eight grandchildren as “Grandpa.”
Kissy and Ann met at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was recruited to play baseball and basketball, and was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and OWU’s Air Force ROTC unit. He majored in physical education. They married following graduation in 1954, and he served in the U.S. Air Force in Enid, Okla.
Paul began his 40 year career in publishing with McGraw-Hill Publishing Company in Detroit, Mich., with Fleet Owner Magazine. He was transferred to Chicago, where he eventually became regional sales manager, while living in Downers Grove, Ill.
In 1976, he transferred to New York City as national sales manager and later became publisher of Fleet Owner Magazine. Additionally, he served as a vice president of McGraw-Hill and as associate publisher of Aviation Week and Space Technology Magazine. He continued with Fleet Owner when it sold to Intertect Publishing in White Plains, N.Y., and retired in December 1996. Kissy and Ann lived in Stamford, for 33 years, where he was an active member of his church, having also served on the Board of Trustees of the church.
Kissy will be remembered as someone who was genuinely interested in everyone he met. He treated everyone fairly and with respect. He always gave sound advice. He loved life, he loved a gathering, and he was always the life of the party. He loved music, the louder the better, and dancing.
Above all, Kissy cherished his family, friends, colleagues and customers.
In addition to his wife Ann of Beacon Falls, Paul is survived by his daughter, Mary Kisseberth Bedson and her husband, Scott, and their children, Laura and Robert of Fairfield; his daughter, Katharine Barto Kisseberth of Trumbull; his son, Michael Paul Kisseberth and his wife, Coral, and their children, Jack, Camille and Danielle of Tiburon, Calif.; his son, John Mills Kisseberth and his wife, Judie, and their children, Hailey, William and Jacob of Narragansett, R.I.
A Memorial Service of celebration will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church, 1089 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield. There are no calling hours. The Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck, is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church, 1089 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield, CT 06825, to First United Methodist Church, 42 Cross Road, Stamford, CT 06905, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
