George Seymour Bissell, beloved father and grandfather, of Wellesley and Orleans, MA, died peacefully at his home, with close family, on October 13, 2023. He was 94 years old. He was a cherished father to his daughter, Kenyon Bissell Grogan; and his son, William Cunningham Bissell; and much loved by his daughter-in-law, Caroline Grace Bissell; and his late son-in-law, Christopher Jeffrey Grogan. Often called "Suds," he was a generous and loving grandfather to Alison Kenyon Grogan, Katherine Wilde Grogan, Theo Rhodes Bissell and Zora Wilde Bissell. His loss is also deeply felt by his nieces and nephews, Alice Bissell and Steve Rosen, Ted and Joni Bissell, Whit Bissell and Sarah Bissell Rubin, Brooke and Paul Mycroft; and their families. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Lucy and Mike Rogan, Leslie and Deepak Talwar, Brad Nolen and Bruce Nolen; as well as their children, Chloe and Hannah Rogan, Arjun Talwar, Tatum Nolen and Meg, Carly and Jay Nolen. He was predeceased by his first wife, Marcia Cunningham Bissell; and his second wife, Margaret Beaver Bissell.
Suds was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Shaker Heights and on a family farm in Aurora with his father, Howard Seymour Bissell; his mother, Marcia Kenyon Bissell; and his brother, Robert Kenyon Bissell. He graduated from Shaker Heights High School (1947), received his BA from Dartmouth College (1951) and then earned an MBA at Harvard Business School (1953). He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. Suds had a distinguished career in the financial services industry in Boston and followed the markets with enthusiasm until the day he died. He began his career with Eaton and Howard, later joined Massachusetts Financial Services and culminated his career as CEO (1977-1994) with the Massachusetts Companies Inc., which later became Keystone. He served as a trustee of University Hospital for 32 years, was a longtime board member of the Association of Investment Management and Research, served as President of the Financial Analysts Federation and was Chairman of the Investment Company Institute (1982-1984). He joined the Board of Trustees of Anatolia College in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1965, later becoming Chairman of the Board (1992-2007). Suds was devoted to Anatolia for decades, cultivating deep friendships in Greece and the U.S. He was committed to providing educational opportunities for others, serving as a benefactor of Hiram College in Ohio, which all four of his grandparents attended and where his father was Chair of the Board of Trustees. During his lifetime, he received numerous awards and honors, including being presented with the Key to the City of Thessaloniki, the Silver Cross of the Phoenix by the President of the Hellenic Republic and was inducted into the Garfield Society of Hiram College. Suds was a member of The Country Club and Eastward Ho!, a gifted golfer and a lifelong curler, beginning at Brae Burn Country Club in the 1960s. But for all his accomplishments and philanthropic pursuits, he will be remembered by those who loved him for his extraordinary warmth, generosity, insightful advice, strong leadership and his abiding commitment to family and friends of family. His impact has been profound and enduring in our lives and his presence will be keenly missed.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of his Life and legacy at 2:00 PM, on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the Wellesley Village Church, 2 Central Street, Wellesley, MA, followed by a reception at The Country Club in Brookline. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name either to Anatolia College, https://anatolia.edu.gr/en/giving/online-giving or Hiram College, https://www.hiram.edu/giving For those who cannot attend, the celebration of George Seymour Bissell's life will be livestreamed, with details available on the church website.