Somber news

This entry is a sad one that marks the passing of one of our classmates: Kevin Stearns.

I had been in contact with Kevin from early on in the reunion planning process. He was one of the first to respond and had been looking forward to attending. Unfortunately, illness prevented that from happening, but some of you may remember seeing his great book of photography on display at the picnic.

Super nice fellow who will be sorely missed by all who knew him well. Follows is the obit:

ObituaryKEVIN P. STEARNS
VALOIS - Kevin P. Stearns, 48, of Valois, passed away at Hospicare on November 16th. If you saw the spectacular rainbow on Thursday afternoon, then you know the moment that Kevin left us. Kevin was the son of Paul H. Stearns of Ithaca, and the late Angela (Morgia) Stearns. He was born in Brooktondale and graduated from Ithaca High School in 1976. He graduated from Tompkins Cortland Community College in 1979, and entered the Marine Corps. He graduated from Basic Training at Parris Island as the honor man in his platoon and saw duty at Okinawa and Twenty-nine Palms, CA. Kevin obtained the rank of Sergeant, having served his country with distinction for four years.
For the past five years, Kevin worked as a photographer for University Photography at Cornell University, a job he loved with people he loved. Kevin was an active member of the Cayuga Nature Photographers Club. One of his wishes was that the members of the club know how much they meant to him.
Kevin's book, "The Finger Lakes Region of New York: A Photographic Portrait," is witness to the beauty of our region and to the power of his photography created from his studio, Valois Photography.
Kevin played in the Ithaca Youth Hockey Association from age seven and never outgrew his passion for the game. He was the beloved coach of the Ithaca Sirens women's hockey team, and also volunteered his time coaching in the Ithaca Youth Hockey Association and the Tompkins Girls Hockey Association. Kevin also enjoyed the Ithaca Cortland Fast-Pitch Softball League, where he played second base.
An avid hiker, Kevin and his longtime buddies took annual trips to the Adirondack Mountains which he cherished beyond all other obligations.
Kevin is survived by his father, Paul H. Stearns; and his brother, Glenn H. Stearns of Ithaca; and numerous aunts and uncles and twenty-four cousins.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 22nd, at Holy Cross Church at 375 George Rd., Freeville. Burial will follow at Green Hills Cemetery, Dryden. Friends are invited to call from 6-9 p.m., Tuesday at the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 W. Main St., Dryden. Those wishing to remember Kevin are asked to consider a memorial to Hospicare, 172 E. King Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, or the Franziska Racker Center, 3226 Wilkins Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. www.perkinsfuneralhome.com