LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Stuart M. Pearis, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Stuart M. Pearis of Vestal, New York, died on Friday, Septem-
ber 14, 2012, at the age of 74; and
WHEREAS, Born in Binghamton, New York, Stuart M. Pearis graduated from
Binghamton Central High School in 1955, and from Yale University in
1959; as president of the Yale Band, he helped organize its 1959 Europe-
an tour, the first such tour by an American university concert band; and
WHEREAS, Following graduation from Yale Law School in 1962, he served
for two years as confidential law assistant to Judge Marvin Dye, senior
associate judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, the state's
highest tribunal; and
WHEREAS, He then returned to Binghamton in 1964, to join the law firm
founded in 1929, by his father and the late Emory C. Resseguie; from
1966 to 1969, he was corporation counsel of the City of Binghamton, vice
chairman of the Binghamton Urban Renewal Agency and attorney for the
Binghamton City School District; and
WHEREAS, In 1966, Stuart M. Pearis was named Outstanding Young Man of
the Year by the Binghamton Junior Chamber of Commerce; Governor Nelson
Rockefeller appointed him to membership on the Commission on Eminent
Domain in 1972; that commission drafted what became the New York State
Eminent Domain Procedure Law; and
WHEREAS, For many years, Stuart M. Pearis was a partner in the law
firm of Pearis, Kline and Barber; later, he was of counsel to the law
firm of Coughlin and Gerhart until his retirement in 2011; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his father and Emory C. Resseguie, Stuart M.
Pearis' former law partners included Herbert A. Kline, Richard A.
Barber, Hon. Ferris D. Lebous, Hon. Catherine C. Schaewe, and Nancy E.
Kline; he served all of his clients with great ability and integrity;
and
WHEREAS, Stuart M. Pearis's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Stuart M. Pearis served as President of the Board of Trustees
of Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, New York in 1973; was a
former Lourdes Hospital Foundation Board Member; was a former member of
the Rotary Club of Binghamton and a Paul Harris Fellow; and was a member
of Temple Concord; and
WHEREAS, As former local chairman of the Yale Alumni Schools Commit-
tee, Stuart M. Pearis interviewed prospective students; he was a member
of the Yale Club of New York City; and
WHEREAS, Stuart M. Pearis distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Stuart M. Pearis' primary focus, however, was his family, who
adored him; this remarkable man always found time to attend, with his
wife, activities in which his children participated, and enjoyed family
vacations on Nantucket, where they met, and in the Adirondacks; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Samuel H. and Celia (Levine)
Pearis, Stuart M. Pearis is survived by his loving wife for more than 26
years, Jill (Justine) Higgins Pearis; his son, John P. Pearis; his
daughter, Meghan M. Pearis; one sister, Patricia P. (Herbert) Kline; two

nieces, Wendy A. (Fred) Budlong and their children, Erik and Carl; and
Nancy E. Kline; and one nephew, Robert S. (Dee) Kline and their chil-
dren, Marena and Ariana; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Stuart M. Pearis leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Stuart M. Pearis, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Stuart M. Pearis.