Obituary of Robert A. Bierstine

Robert A. Bierstine of Pine Island, NY, entered into rest on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. He was 74. The son of the late Benedict Bierstine & Frances Lempka Bierstine, he was born July 10, 1942 in Goshen, NY. He was currently an Honorary Member & Past President of the Pulaski Fire Company; a life member of the P.L.A.V. Post # 16, Pine Island and a 53 year member of the Mountaineer Hunting Club. He was also a US Army Veteran. Bob was born into a produce farming family and worked alongside his father and brothers as part of Bierstine Farms Inc. He left the farm to pursue his dream of truck driving cross country. He displayed his proud Polish heritage by his love of dancing and listening to Polka music. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed deer hunting, fishing and ice fishing. He also was a NASCAR fan and attended races in Bristol, TN, Atlanta, GA & Rockingham, NC where he rooted for Dale Earnhardt Sr. & Jr. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Lorraine Brzuska Bierstine; daughter, Eve Raftary of Peachtree City, GA; daughter, Rebecca Galindo & husband Ken of Canton, GA; 4 grandchildren, Robert & Abigail Raftary; Logan & Mikayla Galindo; brother, Benedict Bierstine Jr. and sister, Nancy Devine; and former son-in-law, Kenneth Raftary. He was predeceased by 3 brothers, James Bierstine Sr., Edward "Skip" Bierstine & Donald Bierstine Sr. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 18th from 4-8PM at T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 690 Co. Rt# 1, Pine Island, NY 10969. Legion services will be held 6PM followed by firematic services at 7PM at the funeral home. Funeral mass will be held 11:00AM Monday, June 19th at St. Stanislaus Church, Pine Island, NY. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Pine Island, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pine Island Volunteer Ambulance Corps., PO Box 264, Pine Island, NY 10969 or to the P.L.A.V. Post # 16, PO Box 16, Pine Island, NY 10969.