Chester Pierce, an onion farmer and lifelong area resident, entered into rest on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the home of his son Stephen and his wife Lidia and surrounded by his family. He was 97.
The son of Joseph Pierce and Catherine Nitek Pierce, he was born on June 5, 1924, on the family farm in New Hampton.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Florida, N.Y.
Chester was elected Justice of the Peace and proudly served as Councilman for more than twenty years in the Town of Wawayanda, representing his constituents, especially the Polish population.
Chester is survived by his son Stephen Pierce and wife Lidia of New Hampton; daughter Christina Murphy and husband John of Middletown; son Joseph Pierce and wife Janine of New Hampton; step grandchildren Lilia and husband, Sasha, and Andrei and wife, Genia; step great grandchildren: Alicia, Lauriana, Vicky, and Max of Montreal, Canada; grandchildren: Michael Murphy and wife Carly, Meghan Barquero and husband Carlos, John Pierce, Helene Pierce and partner Daniel Wilson, and Rebecca Pierce; great grandchildren Keira and Evelene Murphy and Carlos and Gabriela Barquero; sister-in-law Elizabeth Pierce, sister-in-law Marie Wagoner and husband, Jim of Schenectady, brother-in-law, Joseph Poloniak and wife Susan of Tennessee; several cousins, nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and great great nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Clara, brother Mitchell Pierce and foster sister Helen Dombrowski.
The family would like to thank the caring staff of Hospice of Orange-Sullivan County for their attentive, loving care of Chester.
Visitation was held July 18 at T.S. Purta Funeral Home 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida.
Funeral Mass was held July 19 at St. Joseph Church 20 Glenmere Ave., Florida.
Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Church of Florida or the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home.
To send a condolence online, please go to www.purtafuneralhome.com.