James Pierce Stearns, 78, of Kent, CT, died of cancer March 2, 2010. He was born to James and Esther Stearns on January 15, 1932 in Boston. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Byard Stearns; two daughters, Sarah Stearns Fey of Greenwich, and Katherine Stearns Symonds (Kate) of New York City; two sisters, Elizabeth Malo and Janet May; and six grandchildren — Jack, Jimmy and Charlie Symonds, and Daisy, Annie and Mercy Fey. An alumnus of Andover, Harvard and the University of Michigan Business School, he began a long career in education teaching mathematics at Noble and Greenough and Lawrenceville Schools. He was headmaster of Mary Institute in St. Louis (1969-1976) and Fairfield (CT) Country Day School (1976-1993). He loved music, and was an enthusiastic choral singer; he was a Krokodilo at Harvard and anchored the bass section wherever he was. He delighted in games, poetry, golf, Madaquecham, hors d’oeuvres, and beautiful dovetail joints. He knew every song lyric ever written and could make anybody laugh.

Published in The New York Times on Mar. 4, 2010
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