Phil Soisson, Bee sports writer

Philip J. Soisson, a former freelance sports writer for Bee Group Newspapers, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, in Kenmore Mercy Hospital.

Mr. Soisson, 83, of the Town of Tonawanda, began his Buffalo broadcasting career with WBEN in 1953. He later worked as a news and sports anchor with WGR.

He served as radio voice for the Buffalo Bisons baseball team from 1957-63 and the Buffalo Bisons hockey team from 1968-70.

Mr. Soisson left broadcasting in 1970 to work as a publicity officer for M&T Bank.

Working weekends for Bee Group Newspapers, Mr. Soisson edited countless submissions from youth baseball, football and hockey teams. He also covered high school sports and wrote feature stories.

He and his wife, the former Mary O'Leary, later operated a Montgomery Ward catalog store on Main Street in Clarence.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Maggie Judd, Mary Weiser, Kate and Anne; a son, Mark; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Tuesday, Jan. 23 in St. Amelia's Church. Arrangements were made by the Dengler and Roberts Funeral Home.