Sean M. Rice

Sean M. Rice, 69, of New Jerusalem, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at his home.

Born July 2, 1947 in West Reading, Sean was the son of the late Jay and Ellen (Reich) Rice.

Sean graduated from Governor Mifflin High School in 1966. He served his country honorably and faithfully in the United States Army from 1969-1971 during the Vietnam War.

He was an award-winning author. His play, ROUNDS, was the recipient of 6 NAACP Image Theatre Awards, including Play and Writer for the production at the Cast-at-the-Circle Theater in Los Angeles. His screenplay of ROUNDS received the Writers Guild of America, East, Foundation Fellowship Award, and his story, SHAKESPEAR & NIXON + HORRS SCREWED WITH CRAZINESS, was the winner of the Rockford Review Prose Award.

Players Press published fourteen of his plays. Among them SOLDIERS, based on Wyomissing 1965 graduate, Rodney "Duke" Melton, KIA< Vietnam, May 5th 1968 and Governor Mifflin 1966 graduate, Kenneth "Doc" Matz and ENTWINE, inspired by Alvernia 1972 graduate Nancy Kelly. As an actor, Sean toured the United States and Australia in the acclaimed Vietnam Play TRACERS. He appeared in five films for the American Film Institute and Franz Walser's Swiss/German Film LOVE, INC.

TV appearances include BARNABY JONES, ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATION and THE WALTONS. Sean was a member of the Playwright/Directors Unit of The Actors Studio, New York City. Sean was a motorcycle enthusiast who racked up over 100,000 miles over his 30 odd years of easy riding.

Sean is survived by his cousins, Dianne K. Ostrich, wife of Sherbyn W. Ostrich, Robesonia, Craig Shollenberger, Exeter Twp, Terry Von Neida, Shillington and Joan Blimline, Spring Twp.

Sean had a favorite saying by Henry Miller, "What the average citizen can not or will not do, is to enjoy solitude, to live simply, to crave nothing and to share what he has when called upon."

Funeral Services for Sean will be private.

Walbert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PC, Fleetwood, is honored to be caring for Sean. Online condolences may be offered at WalbertFuneralHome.com.