Wilbur "Will" E. Brisson

Wilbur “Will” Brisson passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 surrounded by his family.  Will was born in Salem, MA on July 3, 1926 into a tight-knit French Canadian immigrant community to Eva and Edward Brisson. The day after Wilbur turned 17, he enlisted in the Navy and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific arenas of WWII aboard the merchant marine ship, USS George S. Thomas.  Following the war, he went to New England College on the GI Bill and received a degree in English. In 1952, Will married the love of his life, Margaret Kelly Brisson.  In 1956, they moved to Camillus and purchased the home that they would live in for over 50 years, raising five children. Wilbur retired from the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department as a lieutenant, proud that two of his sons followed in his footsteps.  He was a hard worker who often supplemented his full-time career as a sheriff with one or two part-time jobs to ensure his family was well cared for. Will enjoyed hunting, a good beefeater martini and telling great stories of his life's adventures.  He loved traveling, going to the theatre, SU basketball, Red Sox baseball and Giants football.  By his own admission, the favorite day of his life was in 2014 when his youngest son, Ed, took him to Washington, DC to view the WWII monument and other DC memorials.  The trip was perfectly organized by the Honor Flight of Syracuse to honor veterans. Will was predeceased by his parents, Eva and Edward; wife, Margaret; and sister, Helen Broussard. Surviving are his children, Louise, Michelle (Amy), Tom (Bonnie), Kevin (Sheryl), and Edward (Doreen); and many beloved grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Relatives and friends may call Monday, March 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, March 22 at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church.  Wilbur will be laid to rest in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Honor Flight Syracuse, P.O. Box 591, Syracuse, NY 13209 or to Hospice of CNY, 990 7th North St., Liverpool, NY 13088.