Obituary of Stephen R. Tisa

Tisa, Stephen R. Webster: On November 21, 2016 Stephen R. Tisa went to rest in the arms of the Lord at the age of 71 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Stephen was born on September 16, 1945 in Naples, Italy to Ralph and Sonia Tisa. He came to the United States when he was nine months old, and attended St. Anthony’s parochial school as a child. He spent his high school years at McQuaid Jesuit, where he played football and wrestled. Upon graduation he attended SUNY at Brockport, where he earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Education, and a C.A.S. in Educational Administration, and met and married his wife of 50 years, Sheri. Upon graduation, Stephen started his career in education at East High School. During his twelve years of service to the Rochester City School District, he worked as a teacher of English, Dean of Students and Vice Principal. In 1978, Stephen accepted the position of High School Principal at Gates-Chili Central School District. He was the youngest principal in New York State at the time. He served the district faithfully for 22 years, retiring in 2000. During his career, he served on and chaired numerous New York State and Monroe County Education committees, including Chairman of the Monroe County Secondary School Principals, Regional Chair of the School Administrators Association of New York and President of Phi Delta Kappa. He leaves behind a legacy of love and pride for his students, faculty and staff. Following retirement, Stephen enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and spending time at the family cottage on Owasco Lake. He traveled frequently, enjoying the winters spent in Destin, Florida and yearly visits to the Bahamas with the dearest of friends. He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Sheri, son Stephen Tisa and wife Pamela, son Travis Tisa and wife Catherine, along with his five grandchildren, Nicholas, Sean, Alexander, Elizabeth and Abigail. He is survived by his mother Sonia Tisa, his brother Frank Tisa and wife Claudia, and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He has committed his life to his family, his community and to the world of education. His presence will be deeply missed by all that had the honor of knowing him. Calling hours will be 3pm-8pm on Monday, Nov. 28 at Falvo Funeral Home, 1295 Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd. Webster (Rte. 250). Services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at St. Ann's Chapel Church, 1500 Portland Ave. Rochester. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camp Good Days and Special Times at www.campgooddays.org or the Wilmot Cancer Center at (585) 276-4717.