Tuesday, September 27, 2022
I met Sisto about 15 years ago at 5:30 a.m. workouts at the Town Lake YMCA. I'd be dragging until I'd run into Sisto and his early morning big smile, excitement for the new day and his love of life was contagious and got me going every time. I knew I wanted to know him better.
Over time I did get to know Sisto better and he became my brother from another mother and welcomed me and my family as his own.
He often made me up my game by treating my wife like a lady, best friend and sister with annual birthday gifts and other remembrances from the beginning. Although he was not well enough to join us on her last birthday, he, with his loving heart and in spite of his illness called my wife to wish her the best and to apologize for not being able to bring her a gift as he had for years.
He opened his house by renting a room to my brother-in-law, Mark, who was having a hard time. Sisto gave Mark work and carried him through rough times, multiple times, when he did not have rent money without ever asking anything in return.
Sisto, sometimes with the help of his sons, also helped me and my wife on multiple household projects and was someone I could call on when I was out of town, like the time I called him about a fallen tree that he had cleaned up by the time we got home the next day. I often called Sisto to share my life's ups and downs and it was not unusual for Sisto to show up at our door to provide comfort during those down times.
I know Sisto is already making a big impression on the other side with his big smile, open arms and his love for others. I'll miss him terribly but look forward to meeting up again when the time is right. Until then Sisto, God bless you and just keep on being who I've always known you to be.
With love, sitting on our back deck that you, Mark and I built that has been the source of joy and of many compliments and wows from others over the years.
