Social work emeritus Albert Alissi dies

Albert Alissi, professor emeritus of social work, died Aug. 21. He was 77.

Alissi, who lived in Simsbury, joined the UConn faculty in 1968 and retired in 2002. After retirement, he remained involved in the School of Social Work’s doctoral program.

For some 30 years, Alissi was on the board of trustees of Open Hearth, a nonprofit agency that provides emergency shelter for homeless men and services to help them get back on their feet.

As president of the board during the 1990s, he was instrumental in the construction of a new building.

“He was an incredible man,” says Catherine Havens, associate dean for academic affairs and director of the master’s in social work program at the School of Social Work. “He had clear values and was committed to them – helping the oppressed, homeless, and poor. He was a tremendous role model for students, and they regarded him highly.”

He was also a well known scholar in the field of social work group practice, Havens says.

Alissi had also been involved with Community Partners in Action, an agency providing services for people being released from prison.

He is survived by his wife Sarah, a son, a daughter, and several grandchildren.