Ernest C. Pierce

Ernest C. Pierce
Age 77, of Avoca. Passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the Vincent House in Wayland following a short but hard battle with metastatic lung cancer. Rusty or Red, as family, friends, and coworkers called him, was the oldest son of the late Ernest W. (Bus) Pierce and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Bartlett Pierce Armstrong. Rusty was born on May 31, 1938 and raised in Avoca, going to Avoca Central School. He was an avid boy scout growing up as he came from a scouting family, mom, dad, and brothers were all involved. Rusty earned the Boy Scout God & Country Award for service to church and community, this is one of the top Boy Scout awards. After high school Rusty spent time in the Army Reserves and then, went on to enlist full-time in the Air Force as a weatherman. The Air Force stationed him in Maryland and that is where in remained for his adult life until returning to his childhood home last summer to begin his cancer treatments. After the Air Force, Red held numerous jobs from selling men’s clothing, to painting houses, selling real estate, even opening his own real estate office, becoming a mortgage broker and then, on to sell life insurance. Needless to say over the years he came to know many of the people in Laurel. Red was a friend to many and always willing to lend a helping hand or mentor the next guy coming along. He will be missed and remembered by many for years to come.
Red is predeceased by his brother James F. Pierce and two sisters-in-laws, Carolyn Pierce and Margaret Pierce and his son, Jonathon Pierce besides his parents. Surviving are his loving family, brothers, Gordon (Dorene) Pierce, Bath; Andrew (Elaine) Pierce, Lacona; and Jon (Deb) Pierce, Hornell. His children: Ernest (Randy) (Brenda) Pierce, Avoca and Mary (Mary Beth) Glenn, Bath. His six grandchildren: Matthew Glenn, Rick Glenn, Katie Glenn, Shaun (Morgan) Pierce, Micheal (Heather) Pierce, Jessica Pierce. Red was, also, blessed with four great-grandchildren: Lilly Pierce, Greyson Pierce, Trevor Pierce, and Caroline Burton. He’s, also, survived by his beloved Aunt Dorthea Lysyczyn Klick.
The Avoca Funeral Home, 22 N. Main St., Avoca is honored to serve the family of Ernest C. Pierce.
Family and friends will be received Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 3 pm to 5 pm, with Pastor Barre doing a memorial service immediately following visiting hours, at Avoca Methodist Church, 8593 Jacobs Ladder Road, Avoca, NY, 14809.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations please be made to either the Avoca Methodist Church, 8593 Jacobs Ladder Rd., Avoca, NY 14809 (www.avocaumc.com) or to Vincent House 310 Second Ave, PO Box 566, Wayland, NY 14572 (www.thevincenthouse.org)