It is with great sadness that the family of Richard Leroy Pierce, 88, of 8300 Stout Road, Cuba, announce his passing on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at Cuba Memorial Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit after a lengthy illness.

Born on February 2, 1936, in Wellsville, he was a son of Ronald and Gertrude Stilson Pierce.  He married the love of his life Lucinda (Davis) Pierce on August 1, 1961, in Wellsville, and they had just celebrated their 63^rd wedding anniversary.

A graduate of Wellsville Central School and an FFA member, he went on to work as a dairy farmer and received the NYS Empire Farmer Award.  He also worked in both the oil and gas fields, at Air Preheater and for the Town of Amity.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boiling maple syrup.  When his sons were young, he spent time as a Webelos Scout Leader.  He loved his grandchildren very much and spent time teaching them how to make mud-pies and how to spit.  He considered John Wayne his hero.

In addition to his wife, Lucinda, he is survived by

His Children            Kerwin (Susan) Pierce                      Cuba

                                 Kevin (Lori) Pierce                      Scio

                                 Alicia (Stan Yeager) Budinger           Wellsville

                                 Kimberly Cummings               Wellsville

                                 Raquel (Tony) Kasperski                      Olean

                                 Nicole Pierce                      Cuba

                                 Kenny (Charlene) Pierce                      Friendship

                                 Keith (Delain) Pierce                      Black Creek

                                 Kirby (Stephanie) Pierce                      Cuba

21 Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren

Two Sisters             Constance Stone                       Clara, PA

                                 Patricia (Donald) Hyde                      Millport, PA

Several Nieces and Nephews

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers Dale and Denny, two grandsons Ty Pierce and Kory Pierce, and a great grandson Theodore Collver.

Friends will be received at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street Cuba, on Monday, September 9, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. until Noon.  A Funeral Service will begin at Noon in the Funeral Home.  Rev. Rebecca Worth will officiate.

Burial will be in Cuba Cemetery, Cuba, New York.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cuba Fire Department or Cuba Ambulance.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rinkerfuneralhome.com.