IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Richard Alton
Pierce
April 4, 2015
Obituary
Richard Alton Pierce passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at his home in Cohasset. He was 79 years young. He leaves his beloved wife of 47 years, Helen (Dounelis) Pierce; his loving daughter, Anastasia (Stacy) Sturdy of Cohasset and son-in-law, Charles Sturdy; his devoted son, Matthew Pierce, also of Cohasset and his three cherished grandchildren: Diana, Tegan and Alexander Sturdy.
Born and raised in West Wareham, MA, he was the son of Alton and Dena (Ferioli) Pierce. He was a long time resident of Cohasset. After graduating from Rochester High School in 1953, Richard attended Bridgewater State College, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor's degree Education/Social Studies. He attended graduate school at the University of Chicago, receiving a Master's degree from the Divinity School in 1963.
Richard began his teaching career at Princeton University and later at Lincoln University, in Oxford, Pennsylvania. After returning to Massachusetts in 1972, he taught Humanities and Advanced Placement Psychology at Braintree High School. He was a well-loved and respected teacher who touched many young lives before retiring in 1997. Richard was an avid gardener. He maintained beautiful English gardens, brimming with tulips in the spring and perennials all summer long. He was a good neighbor, sharing the bounty of his vegetable garden and giving 'dinner plate' dahlias, among other flowers, to friends and neighbors. He was well known for walking his black Labrador Retrievers around town.
He also spent time at the local gym teaching yoga to good friends. Other happy times were spent sailing around Cohasset waters or crewing on overnight trips to Nantucket with his son-in-law. Truly a Renaissance man, Richard was a passionate writer and authored two unpublished novels and a collection of poetry. Above all else, he had a gentle spirit, sharp wit and wonderful sense of humor. He will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Richard A. Pierce may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or www.dana-farber.org/gift
A memorial service to celebrate Richard's life will be held in May at his home in Cohasset..
Born and raised in West Wareham, MA, he was the son of Alton and Dena (Ferioli) Pierce. He was a long time resident of Cohasset. After graduating from Rochester High School in 1953, Richard attended Bridgewater State College, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor's degree Education/Social Studies. He attended graduate school at the University of Chicago, receiving a Master's degree from the Divinity School in 1963.
Richard began his teaching career at Princeton University and later at Lincoln University, in Oxford, Pennsylvania. After returning to Massachusetts in 1972, he taught Humanities and Advanced Placement Psychology at Braintree High School. He was a well-loved and respected teacher who touched many young lives before retiring in 1997. Richard was an avid gardener. He maintained beautiful English gardens, brimming with tulips in the spring and perennials all summer long. He was a good neighbor, sharing the bounty of his vegetable garden and giving 'dinner plate' dahlias, among other flowers, to friends and neighbors. He was well known for walking his black Labrador Retrievers around town.
He also spent time at the local gym teaching yoga to good friends. Other happy times were spent sailing around Cohasset waters or crewing on overnight trips to Nantucket with his son-in-law. Truly a Renaissance man, Richard was a passionate writer and authored two unpublished novels and a collection of poetry. Above all else, he had a gentle spirit, sharp wit and wonderful sense of humor. He will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Richard A. Pierce may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or www.dana-farber.org/gift
A memorial service to celebrate Richard's life will be held in May at his home in Cohasset..