Obituary of Sterling L. Pierce

Sterling Lee Pierce, 82, of North Greenbush, died Monday, January 22, 2018 at St Peter's Hospice. Lee was born in Syracuse on November 19, 1935. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Music and a Master's in Guidance Counseling. He late completed Ed.D in Guidance. He taught music for 2 years in the Syracuse area and then moved to Fredonia where he was a guidance counselor. In the summer of 1963, Lee and his family moved to the Capital District where Lee began working as a guidance counselor at Goff Junior High and then at Columbia High School. He was later employed in the Guidance Bureau of the State Education Department and then became a Supervisor working with NYS BOCES programs. Lee was in ROTC while in college and then went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for six months of active duty. After completing active duty, he was a member of the NYS National Guard for several years. Music was an important part of Lee's life from the time that his father gave him voice lessons to his participation in choral groups such as Mendelssohn Club, Albany Pro Music and church choirs. He was a part of the music ministry in the East Greenbush Methodist Church for 54 years. He shared his love of folk music with residents of nursing homes, at coffee houses and at the Fox Hollow Festival. Lee was predeceased by his brother, Guy Pierce and his sister, Phyllis Payne. He is survived by his wife: Carrie (Russell ) Pierce; one sister: Edna (Danny) Whiteley; two daughters: Margery (Tom) Lazo and Audrey (Ken) Manning; five grandchildren: David (Meghan) Manning, Glenn Manning, Walker Manning, Katie Lazo and Hayley Lazo; two great grandchildren: Jonas and Sage Manning. A memorial service will be held 11:00 am on April 7, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of East Greenbush Hays and Gilligan Rd. East Greenbush. Contributions may be made to the Church Memorial Fund or to Doctors Without Borders. .