John Sturtevant Brice, Jr.

John Sturtevant Brice Jr. of Pelham Manor, NY passed away Sunday at 67 after a brief illness. He was a longtime architect who designed and renovated numerous buildings around Westchester, New York City and Connecticut. He generously used his professional and personal skills to play a major role in his local community where he lived for 37 years.

Countless neighbors and friends, overwhelmed by the bewildering process of buying, selling or renovating a home or business, would call John and ask for help. He’d show up at the property with advice, both aesthetic and practical. He also volunteered to serve on town projects such as the Pelham Library, the zoning board, the Pelham Arts Center board and the school board, of which eventually was president. Those who worked with him on these endeavors described him as honest and passionate in his positions.

Born in Atlanta, Ga., to John and Jeanne Brice, John was one of four children, and then when he was 13, the family moved to Hudson, Ohio where his father worked for Goodyear. John played soccer, baseball and football at Hudson High School, then attended Cornell University to study architecture. There, he met Yvonne Eisner, a classmate and daughter of a professor of entomology. Yvonne became a nurse practitioner and director of a health care center. They married in 1979 and moved to Manhattan, where John worked as an associate at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill before joining Geddis Architects, where he spent the rest of his career as a principal.

John loved to travel, ski, play tennis at Pelham Country Club and visit Vermont, where he built a second home. He relished being a father and grandfather. He enthusiastically attended soccer games for his children and enjoyed playing monster with his grandchildren. He was a faithful friend with a wry sense of humor, and always a good listener.

John is survived by his wife Yvonne, children Nicholas (Colleen) Brice and Melissa (Patrick) Shea and grandchildren Gemma, Jack, Charles, Joseph, Calvin and Reilly. He will also be missed by his father John Brice Sr. his sister Nancy and his brother Jeff. John is predeceased by his mother Jeanne and his brother Steve.

A celebration of John’s life will take place at the Pelham Country Club on Friday, May 19th from 2-5PM. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Pelham Educational Foundation.