Stephen S. Bierds

Stephen S. Bierds of West Chester Stephen S. Bierds, 83, died on Thursday, July 10, 2014 surrounded by his loving family, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Patricia Harney Bierds, in 1994. Stephen was born in Nyack, N.Y. and has lived in West Chester, since 1954, where he proudly raised his family. Stephen was a real estate broker for more than 30 years. He served in several positions in the Chester County Board of Realtors, including as president. Stephen was an avid "Barbershop singer", having been one of the founders of the charitable West Chester Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America in 1963, known as the "Chord Busters." He also served positions in public service with West Whiteland Township, including 10 years with the Parks and Recreation Committee and as president of the Exton Chamber of Commerce in 1981. Due to his charity and public service work he was awarded the Lloyd V. Hooper Humanitarian Award in 1988, as well as being named "Barbershopper of the Year." Until Parkinson's Disease slowed him down, he was an avid tennis player, playing year-round for more than 30 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served for two years between World War II and the Korean War. He was a wonderful father to his four children, Stephanie, Victoria and Marsha (Tom Morris), of West Chester, and Michael, of Downingtown. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Mariah, and husband Mike DiGuglielmo, and great-granddaughter, Madelynn Rose, who live in Downingtown, and Michael Kyle Bierds, of Philadelphia. His brother, Bill, and wife Ginny, live in Mobile, Ala. He was predeceased by his sister, Dottie, of Nyack, N.Y. He is also survived by seven nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to his Memorial Service 11 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2014 at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc., 410 N. Church St., West Chester, PA 19380, 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com; where visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 and/or Barclay Friends, 700 North Franklin Street, West Chester, PA 19380 would be appreciated.