CANISTEO: Reid W. Pierce, 80, of Third St. passed away peacefully Wednesday morning September 9, 2020 at St. James Hospital following an extended illness.
Reid was born July 6, 1940 in the town of Canisteo to the late Forrest and Ruth (Judd) Pierce. On January 7, 2006 at the First Presbyterian Church in Canisteo, he married Elaine (Hallett) Pratt who survives and resides in Canisteo.
Reid was a graduate of Canisteo Central School class of 1959. Shortly after high school, in the early 60’s, Reid started a career in the postal service. For several years he was a village carrier eventually achieving Post Master. He served as a post Master for various postal offices in the Canisteo Valley retiring from the Rexville office in the mid 1990’s after 36 years of service.
Reid was a member of the Canisteo Vol. Fire Dept and Fire Company where he was very active as an EMT with the ambulance corp. up to the time of illness. He was awarded the Canisteo Fire Dept. Fireman of the Year Award in 1998, was also awarded the 2007 Steuben County EMS Award. In 2008 the Canisteo Rotary Club recognized Reid’s community services by awarding him the Henry Holland’s Award for community service. He was a member and past master of Morning Star Lodge #65 F&AM in Canisteo and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Canisteo.
Outside of his civic memberships, Reid loved to hunt and fish. He was a very accomplished fisherman and could be found on any lake during the summer months as well as ice fishing during the winter. He was also an avid and seasoned hunter. He especially loved to hunt turkey and deer and was willing to share his knowledge with anyone of any age or experience.
Reid is survived by his wife Elaine of Canisteo, a son Ronald J. Pierce of Wellsville, daughters, Reida (Lowell) Foster of Ashburn, VA. Rebecca (Jeffrey) Baier of Webster, Erica Gollitz of Hornell and Laura Gross of Canisteo. one step-son Kenneth (Christine) Pratt of Hammondsport, 14 grandchildren: Kyle (Marcie), Joshua, Ryan and Ashlee Foster, Aydan and Makenna Baier, Kadience, Austyn, Gavin and Sean Gollitz, Danika (Steve) Morse, Alec (Brittany Hadley) Pratt, Sidney McLaughlin and Arrah Pratt. He is also survived by two brothers Les and Jason Pierce of Canisteo. In addition to his parents Reid was predeceased by an infant daughter Karen Pierce.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Saturday, September 12th at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo, where a Masonic service will take place at 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will take place Sunday, September 13th at 2:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Canisteo. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions in Reid’s name may be made to either the Canisteo Fire dept. c/o Mike Wilson, 14 South Main St. Canisteo, N.Y. 14823 or to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.
