Obituary of Mitchell F. Pierce

“The music in my heart I bore, long after it was heard no more.” Mitchell F. Pierce of New Hampton, NY, a lifetime area resident entered into rest on Sunday, August 29, 2010, in the arms of his loving family. He was 88. The son of the late Joseph and Catherine Nitek Pierce, he was born September 18, 1921, at home on the family farm. Mitchell was a retired produce farmer. Throughout his life Mitchell had three unwavering loves: his family, his church, and his music. He was a longtime organist and founding member of St. Andrew Bobola R.C. Church, a longtime member of the Middletown Elks Lodge, and a member of the Slate Hill Pacers Senior Citizens. In his early years he had his own orchestra and local radio hour on WALL. Mitchell was pre- deceased by his very loving daughter Regina Ann in 1987, and by his sister Helen Dombrowski. He is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Dombal Pierce, his daughter Veronica Dedeic of New Hampton, and devoted grandsons Mitchell Risto Dedeic and Lance Pierce Dedeic. In addition, he is survived by his caring sisters-in–law Barbara Dombal and Lolly Romer, and selfless beyond measure brother-in-law, Edward Dombal, his brother Chester Pierce of New Hampton, and by a large extended family. Thank you to his caregiver Vi Lewis, Dr. Kazanjian, and his decades long physician, Dr. Augusto Rosas. Visitation will be held on Wednesday September 1 from 3 pm to 9 pm at the T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida, NY 10921. Funeral Mass will be held 10 AM on Thursday, September 2, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Church, 20 Glenmere Ave., Florida, NY 10921. Rev. Joseph Tokarczyk will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery Florida, NY Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, 14 Glenmere Ave. Florida, NY 10921 or to Guild of St. Margaret Soup Kitchen, 12 Depot Street, Middletown, NY 10940.