Clarence "Art" Pearson

Clarence Arthur “Art” Pearson, M.D., 90, died peacefully on May 13, 2022, at his
winter home in Naples, Florida, surrounded by his family.

Born in Rochester, NY, on January 21, 1932, to Pauline and Clarence Pearson, M.D.,
he attended the Hill School in Pottstown, PA, and St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY,
where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and graduated in 1953. He served in
the US Army during the Korean War, and upon returning home after the war, he entered
medical school at the University of Rochester, where he met and married his wife of sixty-
one years, Judith Ann Frank.

After spending his internship and residency years at Chicago’s Northwestern
University Hospital and Milwaukee’s Lutheran Hospital, Dr. Pearson began his medical
career in Oneida, NY, where he practiced obstetrics and gynecology for twenty-two years
with his partner, Dr. Earl Cline. During his Oneida years, he served as president of the
Central New York Gynecological and Obstetrical Society affiliated with Upstate Medical
School and chaired the Four County Medical Society’s ob-gyn section as a consultant at
Hamilton Hospital. He also served on the advisory board for the nursing program at the
State University of New York at Morrisville and as a preceptor for medical students. Dr.
Pearson formed a county Medicaid maternity clinic and was active in Planned Parenthood
throughout his career. He volunteered his time as a board member of the Madison County

Mental Health Society and served as both chief of staff and chief of obstetrics-gynecology at
Oneida City Hospital.

Dr. Pearson was active in many community organizations in Oneida and particularly
enjoyed his time as a senior warden at St. John’s Episcopal Church, working as a board
member and volunteer for the Salvation Army, and earning his pilot’s license at the
Stockbridge Valley Flying Club.

In 1986, Dr. Pearson and his wife began spending winters in Naples, FL, where he
remained involved in medicine with a private practice and volunteer work at the Collier
County Clinic and Planned Parenthood. He was a founding member of the Retired Physicians
of Collier County, a long-time member of the Royal Poinciana Golf Club, and a faithful
parishioner at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Trinity-by-the-Cove.

Dr. Pearson’s greatest joy was spending time with his family at the Thousand Islands
on the St. Lawrence River. He loved the outdoors, and through the years, the family enjoyed
golfing, tennis, boating, skiing, and traveling together.

Dr. Pearson is survived by his wife, Judy, and his four children, Kim Pearson Bigelow
(Martin) of Middleville, NY; Arthur “Larry” Pearson (Dale) of Richmondville, NY; Douglas
Pearson (Mary) of Macon, GA; and Norris Pearson (Marguerite) of Troy, NY. He leaves a
fond legacy of love for his grandchildren Nathan Bigelow (Jenna), Heidi Pearson Erbert
(Derek), Nicholas Pearson, Caroline Pearson, Elizabeth Pearson, and Garrett Pearson. Three
great-grandsons live in Kingston, Ontario.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 11am St. John’s Episcopal Church
in Cape Vincent, NY, with the Reverend Lisa Busby officiating. A burial at Riverside Cemetery in Cape Vincent, NY will immediately follow. A reception will be held afterwards at Telly's Inn, Cape Vincent.

Donations may be made in his memory to support nonprofit organizations through
the C. Arthur and Judith F. Pearson Fund, care of the Northern New York Community
Foundation, 131 Washington Street in Watertown, NY 13601.

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