Jacob Lisman

Jacob J. Lisman died at his home in Mountain Top on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.

He was born July 9, 1949, in Wilkes-Barre, and was a lifelong resident of Wilkes-Barre until his retirement, when he and his family moved to Mountain Top.

Jacob was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Betty Heck Lisman; and his two mentors, brother-in-law, Louis Kwarcinski, and the Rev. T. Timothy Delaney.

Jacob graduated from Scranton Prep and received his Bachelor of Arts in English from King's College. While at King's College, he was a part-time instructor of Latin at St. Vincent's High School and English at St. Nicholas High School. He taught English literature at Marquette University in Milwaukee as a graduate student. While teaching high school in Wilkes-Barre, he earned his Master of Science in Education at Wilkes University.

During his senior year at King's College, he was nominated to the Saint Thomas Honor Society and Kappa Gamma Pi National Honor Society.

Jacob taught English at Bishop Hoban High School for two years and the Wilkes-Barre School District for one year. He was also an adjunct instructor of English at Luzerne County Community College.

In 1975, he was hired by the City of Wilkes-Barre as a firefighter; in 1989, he was appointed Battalion Chief/Training Officer, and then, ten years later, Assistant Chief. Jacob was promoted to Fire Chief in 2004 by Mayor Thomas M. Leighton. After serving the citizens, firefighters and paramedics of Wilkes-Barre City for five years in that position, he retired.

Jacob and his friend, Assistant Chief Robert Weale, in 1980, initiated and developed a fire safety educational program for the public. It started with a presentation on a local children's television program, and then it evolved to include all kindergarten and first grade students in Wilkes-Barre. In subsequent years, the program expanded to include elderly residents of high rises, parent-teacher organizations, hotel employees and many civic groups. The fire safety classes continue to this day.

Jacob was a lifelong member of St. Nicholas Church. As a young man, he was a lector for Sunday services. He and his wife, Karen, were facilitators for over twenty years in the Diocese Marriage Preparation Program.

Jacob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Karen Pesavento Lisman; daughters, Anne and her husband, Mark Riccetti; and Mary Ellen and her husband, Ryan Wilson; sons, Peter and his wife, Teresa Lisman; and Adam and his wife, Lisa Lisman; grandchildren, Mia Lisman, Grace Lisman, Emma Lisman, George Wilson and Alice Wilson. Jacob is also survived by his sisters, Pam and her husband, John Hayden; and Joan Kwarcinski; brothers, William and his wife, Deborah Lisman; and Carl and his wife, Tina Lisman; sister-in-law, Ann and her husband, Robert Isaacs; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Jacob's Life takes place Thursday in Church of the Parish of St. Nicholas - St. Mary, 226 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. A visitation will begin at 10 a.m., with a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m.

Donations to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, firehero.org/donate, are preferred and will honor Jake's memory. Share memories and condolences with Jacob's family at mjmclaughlin.com.