Lester Berry Vier

Lester was the pastor of Camillus Baptist Church for almost 20 years. My family was members then and knew him, and his family, well. We also kept in contact with him as he moved around after he left. My husband sang in the choir with him and what fantastic voices they both had. During his pastorate with us the church steeple was struck by lightning and the resulting fire had us sharing the neighboring Methodist church's sanctuary for a year. Later there was a flood of over 3 feet in our basement where our nursery and church schoolrooms were located. That was caused by the nearby creek overflowing. He just rolled up his sleeves, got to work and led us through it all. He was a man who not only peached the Word, but lived it, too. He was one of just a few people I have ever met that had the most compassionate and kind looking eyes. Love just radiated from them. We were truly blessed to have had him in our lives for so long. What a great example of what a Christian should be! Love and peace to you, Elaine, Connie and Greg. Such good memories of you all, including your mom Claire and later Louise.

My heart goes out to all the family of "JoJo", as he was affectionately known by them. I recall always a welcoming smile, a true love of people that came through in his warm invitational manner & his quality of being genuinely interested when listening. My heartfelt sympathy to you.

Thank you for the thorough history and memorable photos of my brother Lester. As the oldest and only boy, Les was our beloved big brother. He was always kind, hard-working, athletic, good-looking, smart and musical. He had to work very hard for our Dad's construction business from a young age and never complained. Because of work he was not able to join sports teams, but liked attending football practice when he could. Nor could he take music lessons like us sisters, but boy, could he sing! We loved to hear his baritone voice singing with Mother. You'll see the picture of Les and his cows. He was 10 or 11 in that picture. Dad decided we should have milk cows and they became Lester's charges. He was responsible for all the care and milking, while I did most of the churning. When we had a surplus of milk, we loaded a child's small wagon and pulled it across the railroad tracks to deliver on the other side of town. When he went to college and I left for my Chicago babysitting job, Lester sent me a sweet letter about how sad it was that we would no longer see much of each other. And that was true, when you see that all of his calls to the ministry were in New York state. I was glad to be in-between commitments and able take the bus to his wedding in Kansas City. And summer 1964 we took a road trip to New York City where we heard him preach, and took our small children to the new Mary Poppins movie and the World's Fair. I loved seeing that picture of Lester in his vestments with all those children listening intently. He brought his family twice to visit us in Minnesota. Lester and Claire kept the kids busy and industrious and he was always engaging, pleasant and talkative! It was a delight to visit Les and Louise in North Carolina in 2021 and see him still mowing his yard, checking the bees and waging a kindler, gentler "war" on squirrels. I'll miss our talks, but the memories are sweet and our reunion in Heaven will be sweeter still.

Lester collecting a swarm of bees

Condolences from the Harrisena Community Church Family. We celebrate the life of Reverend Vier with the Vier Family and all who were touched by his service to God and neighbor. We thank God for your life, Rev. Vier. God bless you!

Mr. Vier´s warmth, kindness, and generosity were everyday evidence of his faith in God´s goodness and inclusion.

I knew Mr. Vier through my close friendship with his daughter, Elaine. Our group of pre-teen and teenage friends loved meeting at Elaine´s house, because her parents´ hospitality was marked by affection and respect. Mr. Vier´s warmth and thoughtfulness were genuine and we felt seen and appreciated.

My mother knew Mr. Vier as a member of the larger faith community in Camillus, NY. She spoke often about how his leadership focused on common values and goals, and how his care and concern for everyone made their efforts more productive and pleasant.

We mourn with others that we have lost a person who so embodied God´s grace and goodness, but we will be ever grateful for Mr. Vier´s example of how to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly and faithfully with God. Our hearts go out to all of his family and friends.