Obituary of Robert F. Pierce

Robert F. Pierce, 86, of Reading, MA, beloved husband of the late Dorothy (Coleman) Pierce with whom he shared 55 years of marriage died on Monday March 1, 2010, at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading surrounded by his loving family. Born in Peabody, MA on April 12, 1923, he was the son of the late George and Mary (Mulcahy) Pierce. Robert was raised and educated in Peabody. He was a WWII Veteran who enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, and served with distinction as a signalman on a minesweeper in the Pacific Theater. During his life, he resided in Salem, MA, Concord, N.H., Peabody, and moved to Reading, Ma in 2002. On the GI Bill, Robert graduated from Pratt Institute in 1949,as a leather chemical engineer. He was a widely recognized chemist in the U.S. and international leather industry. Robert was an expert in leather manufacturing as well as environmental protection processes for the industry. He valued education and throughout his working career he pursued studies at Boston University with a concentration in Labor Relations. He enjoyed his management roles at Beggs and Cobb, Brezner Tanning, Seal Tanning, Atlas Refinery, and Rohm and Haas. Robert was a devoted grandfather and enthusiastic supporter of their achievements. He was a great golfer, and as hobbies enjoyed cribbage and crossword puzzles. He was a lifetime member of the Peabody Lodge of Elks #1409, a member of the Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, and the VFW Post in Penacook, N.H. Devoted father and father-in-law to Patricia (Pierce) and Thomas P. Fitzgerald, Reading, MA, Robert F. Pierce, Jr. and Susan (O’Brien) Pierce, Beverly, MA, Dorothy (Pierce) and E. Carey O’Donnell, Jr., of Haddonfield, N.J; loving grandfather to Patrick Fitzgerald, Tarin O’Donnell and Carey O’Donnell III; he was an uncle and godfather to many. Predeceased by his siblings Marie Murphy, William Pierce, Philip “Dutchy” Pierce, and Eleanor “Sissy” Pierce. His funeral will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2010, from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody. Relatives and friends may pay their respects Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 9 to 10:30 at the funeral home. A family burial will be held at a later date. The family requests that donations be made in Robert’s memory to St. John the Baptist Capital Campaign for the elevator, 17R Chestnut Street, Peabody, MA 01960