May 8, 1932 – March 22, 2024
Donald Pierce, a resident of Reading for 62 years, died March 22, 2024 at the Winchester Hospital surrounded by his family.
Don was born in Acushnet, Massachusetts and was the son of the late Donald “Pete” and Ruth (Taber) Pierce. He graduated from New Bedford High School in 1949 and went on to attend UMass-Dartmouth. He received his degree in Chemistry in 1953, and soon after joined the US Army, where he served in the Medical Corps for two years at Fort Benning, GA. After service to his country Don began his professional career as a Chemist. In 1996, he retired from the A.W. Chesterton Company where he was the Technical Manager of its’ Chemical Products Division. Don was very active in the town of Reading in recreation and youth sports. He was a coach and Board Member for Reading Youth Baseball for 16 years. He was a coach in the Reading Pop Warner program and key contributor to the expansion of the program. He served as a member of the Reading Recreation Committee including a term as President. For many years he led an adult fitness class at the Burbank YMCA. He was one of the early contributors in the formation of the Reading Men’s Softball League, and was a longtime supporter of Reading Memorial High School Athletics. He served on the Reading Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee for 16 years including twelve as President. Don was an avid reader, runner and lover of movies, but his biggest enjoyment was attending the activities in which his children and grandchildren were participating. Whatever task Don undertook, he was prepared, thorough, and committed. He was a quiet man of strong character who was humble, selfless and believed strongly in “doing the right thing”. He was also a longtime active member of the First Congregational Church of Reading.
Don was the husband of 69 years to his devoted wife Janet (Wobecky) Pierce. He was the caring father of Nancy Pierce of Asheville, NC, Jeff Pierce and his wife Terry of Reading and Leslie Narahara and her husband Daniel of Reading. Brother of the late Suzanne Dixon (Walter) and the late Tommy Keith. Loving grandfather of Krista, Dylan, Bryan and his wife Melissa, Dustin, Andrew, Emily, Edith and Carolyn. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and friends.
At the request of Don there will be private services, at the gravesite, which will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Don’s memory to RMHS Athletic Hall of Fame at 62 Oakland Road, Reading MA 01867, to the attention of the Director of Athletics or through the following donation link. https://rmhshof.com/donationstickets.html
