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Sisto Radicchi

Sisto “Sas” Radicchi passed away peacefully with his wife Kathy at his side in their Newnan, Georgia, home on March 6, 2023. He enjoyed a long, healthy life that spanned 100 years.

Born in the small town of Lucignano, Italy, in 1922, he immigrated thru Ellis Island with his parents in 1924, moving to Deep River, where they knew others that had immigrated earlier. The Great Depression forced them to move back to Italy, but they returned a couple of years later, settling in the neighboring town of Chester.

Several months after World War II began, Sisto graduated from Chester High School and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps — possibly where his nickname Sas originated. Sisto’s graduation class had 17 members, and all eight boys in his class went to serve in World War II. After the war and his service time, he attended Morse Business School, then began his long career at the Chester Bank.

He married Phyllis Hewitt and lived in Chester next to his parents, where they brought up their three children. Sisto began as a teller for the Chester Bank, eventually becoming treasurer, chief loan officer, and vice president before retiring after 39 years of service. Many locals met with Sas for their first car or home loan, back when a handshake was good enough to get the ball rolling. He could be seen many days on Middlesex Avenue and Main Street, walking back to work after having lunch at home. Sas was a Chester Rotarian and past commander and adjutant, and member of the American Legion for 70 years. He was also a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, and served as an usher and past treasurer. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 65 years. Sisto also served as a member of the VFW and the Elks Club.

Sas married Kathy in 1981. They built a home in Chester, then moved to Old Saybrook. The next move was to the West Coast of Florida. After several years, they transitioned to Newnan, Georgia, to be near children. There, he became a member of the St. Magdalene Catholic Church. Sas loved to socialize; he enjoyed his golf, bowling, cruises, and spending time with his family, especially playing Santa for his grandchildren. He was fortunate enough to meet a few of his great-grandchildren. He especially loved getting together with family and friends and cooking for them.

Sas was predeceased by his parents, Agostino Radicchi and Mary Poccioni Radicchi, along with a brother, Giovanni (who passed shortly after childbirth). He is survived by his wife Kathy; his three children, Diane and husband Bill Dyckman of Windham, along with their three daughters, spouses, and 10 grandchildren, all of Connecticut; Paul and his wife Dawn of Chester, along with their two sons, spouses and four grandchildren of Connecticut, and Tom of Missouri, his daughter and granddaughter of Arizona. He is also survived by Kathy’s children, Joe of Newnan, Kathie and husband Mick of Griswold, along with three sons and five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, Bob and Judy of Arizona, Ed of Newnan, along with three children and one grandchild, and John and wife Brenda of Florida, along with four children and six grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. April 10, at St. Joseph’s Church, 48 Middlesex Turnpike, Chester. Burial will follow at Fountain Hill Cemetery, 57 High Street, Deep River. To share a memory of Sisto or to leave condolences, please visit www.rwwfh.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to Coweta County Animal Services, 91 Selt Road, Newnan, GA 30263, or a shelter or charity of your choice.