Alan Anthony Bissonnette, 71

Alan Anthony Bissonnette, 71, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed peacefully in his home on Feb. 19, 2014.

Al was born Nov. 19, 1942, in Bridgeport, Conn., and raised by his parents Anna and Robert Bissonnette.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1961, receiving an honorable discharge.  In 1969, he married his lifelong companion, Florence Bissonnette.  Together, they started a beautiful family and by the late 1970s raised their children, Lee and Roseanna, in Florida.

Al was known for loving life in a grand way.  His hobbies turned into ambitions which grew into prosperous endeavors.  In the 1980s, Al began to collect comic books and collectibles.  It was not long until this interest manifested into the famous Cloak & Dagger Comics of Ormond Beach, Fla.  His business soared and he and his son, Lee Bissonnette, owned and operated several small businesses in the Central Florida region over the next 10 years.  Through his work, Al helped mold and educate a generation of young readers and collectors

At work and at home, Al was known for his enormous generosity.  His favorite holiday, Christmas, was a huge event in the Bissonnette household, with light spectacles that would make the local papers.  Al, a big kid at heart, volunteered as Santa Claus for local department stores and children’s events.  Shortly before his retirement, Al and Florence moved to Hendersonville, where he opened a collectibles shop fittingly named Kringle’s Place.  Al also enjoyed other hobbies, including gardening, riding motorcycles, going to the movies, playing card games and travelling with his wife. Within the last decade, nothing brought him more joy than to see his two children happily married with children of their own.  “Papa” loved and adored his granddaughters, Anna Morgan, Madeleine Bissonnette and Gracie Bissonnette.

Alan is survived by his wife, Florence Bissonnette; his son Lee Bissonnette, his daughter Roseanna Bissonnette Morgan; and his three grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, at Thos. Shepherd and Son Funeral Directors, 125 South Church Street, Hendersonville, NC, 28792.  Flowers may be sent to the above address as well. 

The funeral and burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old Us Hwy 70 W, Black Mountain, with Chaplain Buddy Corbin of The Cancer Center at Mission Hospital officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be given to CHASA, Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association, 4101 W. Green Oaks, Suite 305, #149, Arlington, TX 76016.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.