Stephen Matthew Sisson

When Stephen was five years old, the family moved to Miami, FL after his father was transferred from

Reagan International Airport to Miami International Airport as an Air Traffic Controller. As a youth,

Stephen aspired to be like his father an Air Traffic Controller or a baseball player.

Stephen completed his schooling in Broward County FL. After graduating from Cooper City High School,

he continued his education at Broward County Community College in Boca Raton, FL, where he earned

his associate degree in accounting. In 1989, he decided to return to his birthplace to care for his elderly

grandparents whose health was declining, while continuing his education at the University of

Maryland. In 1992, Stephen graduated with top honors in his class and was immediately employed by

Arthur Anderson in Washington D.C. Several years later, he returned to Ft. Lauderdale, FL where he

Could pursue his life-long dream of becoming an Air Traffic Controller. He submitted applications and

interviewed for the position and even placed second among the national candidates; however, due to

government cutbacks, the position was frozen for several years. In the interim, Stephen exceeded the

maximum age requirement of becoming an Air Traffic Controller. Much to his dismay, he decided to

focus on moving up the corporate ladder as an accountant. His brilliant mind and the experience he

gained landed him lucrative positions as Tax Director for several high-powered corporations. Stephen

had a promising future as Tax Director.

Stephen was a well-rounded individual whose intellect had no limits. He was constantly reading books

on sports, history, nature, science, travel, music to enhance his mind. He had developed a genuine

Interest in baseball. He attended numerous games as well as baseball shows in Florida and Virginia, in

which he gained a wealth of knowledge for the sport. He collected a substantial amount of baseball

cards and memorized the players’ stats. He developed a special interest in the players who comprised

“The Big Red Machine” and became a dedicated fan of the Cincinnati Reds team. Another topic of

interest to Stephen was history. He developed an exceptional interest in the Civil war and Robert E. Lee.

He knew everything about the war and his war hero that he even spoke of one day becoming a historian

of the Civil War. He believed he was an “old soul” in a young man’s body. He researched his

ancestry and learned that his ancestors had owned land during the civil war of which his surname

appears in history books.

Stephen’s maternal grandparents were actors on Broadway who appeared in several plays. Stephen

Also inherited these genes in the performing and theatrical arts. He was always expanding his

mind by attending plays, musicals, concerts, and operas as well as visiting museums in New York,

Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and Washington D.C. He enjoyed ALL genres of music, rock, and roll,

hard rock, classical, jazz, soul, blues, country, etc. When he was not spending time listening to music,

he was relaxing on his lounger watching episodes of The Simpsons. Stephen remained devoted to this

program ever since its inception that he never missed an episode.

Stephen will always be remembered as a well-accomplished and exemplary individual who excelled in

everything. Stephen had special relationships with his family in Maryland as well as his friends. In the

past five years, he developed new relationships, all of whom he cherished deeply. His generous heart

and sincere smile were enough to see that he genuinely cared for everyone he met.

Stephen was preceded in death by his mother Barbara, both his maternal and paternal grandparents

and Uncle Mike Sr., all of whom he loved dearly! Stephen will be deeply missed by the love of his life –

Migdalia; his father Rodney; his loving Aunt Joyce; his cousins Mike Jr. (Andreas) and Mark (Donna) and

their sons Jacob, Joseph, and daughter Jordan; his sister-in-law Sandi, brother-in–law Joe; nephews

Robiel and Esteban; niece Kristina; and brother Terry.