Richard E. Pierce

Richard Edgar Pierce, age 89, of Lindley, New York left this earth on his heavenly journey to join loved ones on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.

Born in Corning Hospital, he was the son of the late Harold J. and Jean V. (Knapp) Pierce. Richard attended the Lindley Station School where he took pride in being the school’s janitor, fireman and only 6th grader. He graduated from Corning Northside High School in 1950. He attended Delhi Tech College on the Veteran’s GI Bill and received his degree in Building Trades in 1957. In the 1960’s he attended Corning Community College at night taking early computer science classes and earning an AAS degree in Business.

On June 12, 1954, he married the love of his life Catherine M. (Brant) Pierce at the Lindley Community Church, and they recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.

In 1962, Richard and his brother, Harry, built the Pierce’s house with exceptional stonework on the front that took Richard several years to complete. Strongest of all Richard built his family; he and Catherine raised their 4 children, Bonita, Donna, Daniel, and Laurie.

Before moving to Lindley at the age of 10, Richard helped his father in Pierce’s Bowling Alley and was the ‘Mascot’ for his father’s bowling team. He started his life in farming at the age 10, helping his neighbors after moving from Corning to Lindley. He joined the Future Farmers of America organization where he won a calf.

After graduating from Delhi, Richard was employed by Nikula Construction in building the Gregg Grammar School. He later became a milkman for Dann's Dairy and then took a job with Corning Savings and Loan. When he worked for Commonwealth Bank in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, he advanced to become bank manager. He joined Corning Glass Works in 1966 and retired in 1987 as the Monthly Payroll Supervisor for 15 plants; he recently received his 55-year pin.

Richard joined the Corning National Guard at the age of 17. When the Korean War broke out on his high school graduation night in 1950, he received an honorable discharge from National Guard and enlisted in the United States Air Force, January 4, 1951, in Binghamton, NY. He served two years in Alaska at the Elmendorf Air Force base before Alaska became a state. He served our Country during the Korean War until his honorable discharge on January 6, 1955. He later joined the National Guard at Delhi and in the 1970’s served in the Wellsboro National Guard, which was involved in helping with recovery from the 1972 flood.

Richard loved the outdoors, fishing, hiking, hunting, and camping. He immersed himself in his gardening and landscaping around his home. He and Catherine loved to travel especially to Arizona to visit children and grandchildren there. After retiring in 1987, they drove up the Alcan Highway to Alaska. Also, after retirement, he enjoyed working in his shop building birdhouses. Mostly he loved spending time with his grandchildren playing cards, teaching them to fish, and enjoying the outdoors. He loved walking his dog at the Cowanesque Dam.

Catherine and Richard shared common interests in history, genealogy, photography, and community service. Richard served as a Chairman for the Steuben County 4-H program and on the finance committee. He served on the Steuben County Historical Society Board of Directors and its finance committee. He was also a Deputy of the Lindley-Presho Historical Society and as a member of various other Historical Societies. He became the town clerk for Lindley in 1960 to 1964 and he was a charter member of the Lindley-Presho Fire Department.  He was the motivating force behind the Veterans Monument and Memorial Park at the Lindley Town Hall.

He was an extremely hard worker, dedicated and determined to provide for his family and give them the life they deserved. An amazing and devoted husband, father and grandfather who was known for being an honest, straightforward and a genuine person who was proud to have served his country and community. Richard was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. He was loved and will always be missed.

Left to cherish his memories are his loving Wife, Catherine M. (Brant) Pierce of Lindley; Children, Bonita (Mark) Kline of Arizona, Donna Marmuscak of Addison, Daniel Pierce of Lindley and Laurie (Jeffrey) Strom of Arizona; Grandchildren, Adam (Starrla) Tompkins of Japan, Amberley Kline of Arizona, Amity Lucas of Long Island, Anya Marmuscak of Texas, Audriana (Dave) Empet of Pennsylvania, Erika (Justin) Hausmann of Arizona and Tom Strom of Arizona; Great Grandchildren, Hudson, Lana, Arianna, Alicia, Landyn, and James; Siblings, Betty Jean Walters of Kentucky and Stephen Pierce of Lindley; his faithful and loving dog, Rex and cat Flopsea. He was predeceased by his parents, infant son Thomas R. Pierce, grandson, Andy Marmuscak, son-in-law, John Marmuscak, brother Harry Pierce and sister Nancy King.

A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 in Presho Cemetery, Lindley, NY at the family plot with Military Honors.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lindley-Presho Fire Department, Corning American Legion, or the ALS Association in memory of his mother Jean (Knapp) Pierce.

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