Leonardo “Lee” Cartas Sison was always teaching.
For 17 years, Mr. Sison taught elementary school students at Joseph Casillas Elementary School in Chula Vista. After school, he would promote healthy living as a fitness instructor at Border View YMCA.
And although Sison was the youngest of two siblings, his sister Donna Saracho said he taught her many life lessons.
“He was just kind of a go-to person,” she said.
Last week, all of the lessons stopped.
Sison, a 1992 graduate of Southwest High School, suddenly passed away on Aug. 24 at the age of 44; leaving a void for the many students, staff and faculty at Joseph Casillas Elementary School.
“Mr. Sison’s departure is a devastating loss to the Casillas community,” said Joseph Casillas Elementary principal Chris Vickers. “Our entire Casillas family genuinely values the affection Lee had for the school community at large. He selflessly supported our site with his talents and time; and more importantly, he did it from the heart.”
During his tenure at Joseph Casillas Elementary, Sison was voted Teacher of the Year and was the first recipient of the District Community Service Award.
He is credited for starting the sports program at Casillas Elementary and his teams were five-time district co-ed football champions which included a 32-game winning streak as well as the coach of the girls’ basketball teams.
Saracho said his students were more than just students to him, she said he always referred to them as his “kids.”
When Sison was not in the classroom, he shared a passion for sports, especially the San Diego Chargers. He was a longtime season ticket holder. He remained a Chargers’ fan when they moved to Los Angeles, and even attended their first home game last year as the new Los Angeles Chargers.
On Monday, Joseph Casillas Elementary School held a vigil to remember the elementary school teacher.
“The way he would love to be remembered by is that he was a great educator, he was a great coach and a great mentor and friend to many,” Saracho said.
Sison earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Science in Education from San Diego State University.
Viewing and visitation will be held at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary in the Little Chapel of Roses on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 6 and 7, from 5 to 9 p.m.
A funeral mass will be held at noon on Sept. 8 at St. Charles Catholic Church, 990 Saturn Blvd.
