Obituary of Pierre A. Biever

Pierre A. Biever of Burdett, N.Y. passed away on Sunday, August 8th, 2021 at Montour Falls N.Y. after an extended illness. The family will receive friends and family on Sunday, August 15, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Vedder-Scott & Zinger Funeral Home, 122 N Genesee St, Montour Falls, NY, 14865. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's of the Lake Church on 905 N. Decatur Street in Watkins Glen N.Y. at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 16th, 2021, with Father Jeff Tunnicliff officiating. Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery of Hector, in Burdett, N.Y. Pierre was born in Burdett, N.Y. on June 13, 1938, the son of the late Emil and Rose (DeDominic) Biever. He married his wife of over 60 years, Geta, on April 19, 1958 at St. Mary's of the Lake Church in Watkins Glen and he lived in Burdett all his life. He was predeceased by his wife Geta, son Philip, his parents Emil and Rose Biever, his father and mother in-law John and Margaret (Clymer) Gunning, his brother and sister in-law Ralph and Sue Dean, and his brother in-law Bruce Gunning. Pierre retired from International (U.S.) Salt with 46 years of service as a laboratory technician and machine operator. He is survived by his son Mark (Sharon) of Sterling, VA., daughter in-law Sherry Biever of Burdett, sister Joan (Raphael) Specchio of Watkins Glen, sister in-law Sandra Gunning of Reynoldsville, and brother in-law Clair (Peg) Gunning of Montour Falls. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren: Peter Biever of Burdett, Philip Biever of Chesapeake, VA, Ryan Biever of Virginia Beach, VA. and Lydia Biever of Burdett. He is also survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces. He was an avid shot-gunner and crack rifle shot spending many Sunday afternoons shooting with his wife and sons Philip and Mark. Pierre was an honest and fair man ensuring the citizens and workers he served were treated fairly. Pierre served the village of Burdett for 4 years as Village Trustee and 25 years as the Mayor, during this period several projects were started and completed during his tenure including, but not limited to, Public water, Street light replacement/expansion, Village land area expansion and Route 79 highway and sidewalk replacement. He also served tirelessly as United Steel Workers Local 12460 President for 25 years leading several contract renewal negotiations preserving the rights and benefits of the employees of International Salt. Pierre also was a member of the County Fireman's association and a Schuyler County Democratic Committee man. Pierre was a member of the Burdett Fire Department for 65 years serving as various Admin officer positions for 12 years. Pierre was an Amateur Astronomer and a member of the Elmira-Corning Astronomical Society. He also was a member of the Schuyler County Historical Society and was intrigued with US and New York State History and its Iroquois heritage. He was a life member of BPOE Lodge 1546, the NYS Rifle and Pistol Association and the National rifle Association. In later years he was also a member of the Trumansburg Fish and Game Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Burdett Volunteer Fire Department 4124 Lake Avenue, P.O. Box 238 Burdett, NY 14818.