CHARLOTTE, N.C. and DEER ISLE – Mathias Rissi, formerly of Deer Isle, died Wednesday, March 1, 2006, in Charlotte, N.C., in the presence of his family. Dr. Rissi was born Sept. 29, 1920, in Weinacht, Switzerland. He received his doctorate in theology from the University of Basel and served as pastor for several parishes in Switzerland. From 1963-1987, he was Professor of New Testament at Union Theological Seminary and authored a number of books on the early Christian Church and on the Book of Revelation. Dr. Rissi and his wife, Veronica, retired in Deer Isle and were active in the community there, until her death in 2002. Since then he has been under the loving care of his son, Peter and daughter-in-law, Aimee, as well as the staff of Sharon Towers Health-care Center in Charlotte, N.C. Dr. Rissi is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Markus and Edith, Daniel and Irene, John and Genevieve and Peter and Aimee; as well as four cherished grandchildren, Jeremy, Anica, Kindall and Michael. A private memorial service will be arranged later this year. Contributions in Dr. Rissi’s memory may be made to Sharon Towers Resident Assistance Fund, 5100 Sharon Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210 or Island Medical Center, Stonington, ME 04681 or Hancock County HomeCare and Hospice, Blue Hill, ME 04614.