Warren B. Syer

GREAT BARRINGTON -- Warren B. Syer, 84, of Great Barrington, died Sunday, at Great Barrington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, after suffering for several years with Alzheimer's disease.

Born in Somerville on March 9, 1923, son of Charles and Mabel Stevens Syer, he grew up in the Boston area and attended Northeastern University.

He joined the Army Air Force in November 1943. Under the Army's college program, he attended the University of Kentucky and Antioch College before the Army stationed him at Truax Field, Madison, Wis.

Mr. Syer began his business career in 1946 as credit manager for the Sears Roebuck store in Lynn, and then worked at Sears stores in Hartford, Conn., and Schenectady, N.Y.

In 1952, he went to work as promotion manager High Fidelity magazine in Great Barrington. In 1957, Billboard Publications Inc. bought the magazine, and Mr. Syer became vice president of consumer publications for Billboard, in addition to High Fidelity. Mr. Syer was publisher of American Artist, Modern Photography, and Schwann Long Play Record Catalog. He also served as the Far East liaison manager for two offices in Tokyo, Japan.

In 1972, he founded High Fidelity Cable Television, a multi-channel cable system for the towns of Great Barrington, Stockbridge, Lenox, and Lee.

In 1972, American Broadcasting Company's Leisure Magazines division purchased the magazines from Billboard and Mr. Syer was named president of this division, which included Musical America, Stereo International, and McCall's Needlework and Crafts, in addition to the former Billboard magazines.

In 1980, he became CEO and president of Historical Times Inc. in Harrisburg, Pa., which publishes American History Illustrated, Civil War Times, British Heritage, Country Journal, Early American Life, Opus, and Fly Fisherman.

Between 1989 and 2000, he was a publishing consultant for the Woodrow Wilson Quarterly, published in Washington, D.C., at the Woodrow Wilson International Center.

During his years in publishing, Mr. Syer was a board member of Magazine Publishers Association and founded its internship program, and for several terms, chaired the education and management committees.

Mr. Syer was on the boards of the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington. He also was instrumental in setting up the Four Town Cable Committee. He served as a member of the Great Barrington Housing Authority for 12 years, and as financial adviser for Elder Services Inc. of Berkshire County.

For 55 years, he was a member of the First Congregational Church and was the church's Investment Committee chairman from 1990 until 2005.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara A. Syer; his son, Kurt W. Syer of Sheffield; three daughters, Deborah A. Syer of Mt. Laurel, N.J.; Diane B. Brooks of Southington, Conn.; Cassandra G. Mazzawy of Shokan, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Warren B. Syer, who died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, will be Saturday, 10:30 a.m., at the First Congregational Church, 251 Main St., Great Barrington, conducted by the Rev. Charles VanAusdall, pastor. Burial will follow at Mahaiwe Cemetery in Great Barrington. Calling hours will be Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Syer may be made to the First Congregational Church Organ Fund or the Alzheimer's Association through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and
reflections may be sent to the
family through www.finnertyandstevens.com. Mr. Syer also leaves two sons-in-law, Stuart Brooks of Southington, Conn., and Toufie Mazzawy of Shokan, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren: Kelly Syer Harris and her husband Greg Harris, Kristen Syer, Kara Syer, Rachel and Andrew Brooks, and Toufie and Amira Mazzawy. He was predeceased by his brother, Henry W. Syer, in 1989.