Donald Pierce
Donald Franklin Pierce passed away peacefully with family at his side on February 14, 2015 at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta. Don was born in Waterville on November 15, 1922, the only child of Ralph Donald and Alice Frances (Phillips) Pierce. He grew up in Springvale, and graduated from Sanford High School. After Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps and served as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate on Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands. When he returned in 1946 he married “ the girl he left behind”, Laura Hilda Meserve of Jefferson, and completed his degree at Gorham State Teachers College. In the spring of 1947, they moved to Jefferson. He did his practice teaching in the Augusta School System and was hired to teach Industrial Arts in the Junior High. He spent his entire career in Augusta, teaching wood shop, mechanical drawing and shop math at Cony High School. Don became Director of Vocational Education at an exciting time in Maine education, and was privileged to plan and direct the construction and curriculum of the Capitol Area Technical Center. He was very active in his community, serving as Master of Riverside Lodge #157, AF&AM; Worthy Patron of Lake View Chapter #179, O.E.S.; founding member of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department; and Charter Member of both the American Legion Post and the Fish and Game Association. He sang bass in choirs at the First Baptist Church, the Orff’s Corner Community Church, Bunker Hill Baptist Church, and in the Living Christmas Tree in Thomaston. His Eastern Star life was very important to him and allowed him to spend his free time with Laura doing something they both enjoyed. In 1977 he was elected Worthy Grand Patron of Maine, and in 2006 was appointed a General Grand Chapter Committee Member. For many years he served on the State Advisory Board of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls and was a holder of the Grand Cross of Color. Don was a member of the Maine St. Andrew’s Society and Board Member of the Jefferson Historical Society. He and Laura helped plan Jefferson’s Sesquicentennial in 1957 and its Bicentennial Celebration in 1976. He spent many hours on restoration efforts on the Old Town House. His dedication to his community resulted in his being chosen “Mr. Jefferson” by the Society, and receiving the Spirit of America Award from Willow Grange. He was selected to be Grand Marshal of the Jefferson Bicentennial Celebration in 2007. Don will be remembered for his strength, his leadership, his loyalty, his high standards and his sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. Don was pre-deceased by his parents and his wife, Laura. He is survived by his daughters Ruth Holden (David) of Jefferson and Martha “Muffie” Ellis (Jim) of Burnham; grandchildren Michael Holden (Denise) and Elizabeth Holden of East Boston, MA and Meghann Valente of Pittsfield; great granddaughters Mackenzie Holden of East Boston and Baylee Valente of Pittsfield; step-great grandsons Zachery and Jordan Valente of Pittsfield and Gavin Valente of Gorham. At Don’s request, there will be no funeral service, but a celebration of his life will be held in early summer on his back lawn by the river in Jefferson. Memorial gifts may be made to the ESTARL fund, the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, or the Jefferson Historical Society and sent c/o Ruth Holden, 227 Waldoboro Road, Jefferson, ME 04348.Obituary
Donald Franklin Pierce passed away peacefully with family at his side on February 14, 2015 at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta. Don was born in Waterville on November 15, 1922, the only child of Ralph Donald and Alice Frances (Phillips) Pierce. He grew up in Springvale, and graduated from Sanford High School. After Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps and served as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate on Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands. When he returned in 1946 he married “ the girl he left behind”, Laura Hilda Meserve of Jefferson, and completed his degree at Gorham State Teachers College. In the spring of 1947, they moved to Jefferson. He did his practice teaching in the Augusta School System and was hired to teach Industrial Arts in the Junior High. He spent his entire career in Augusta, teaching wood shop, mechanical drawing and shop math at Cony High School. Don became Director of Vocational Education at an exciting time in Maine education, and was privileged to plan and direct the construction and curriculum of the Capitol Area Technical Center. He was very active in his community, serving as Master of Riverside Lodge #157, AF&AM; Worthy Patron of Lake View Chapter #179, O.E.S.; founding member of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department; and Charter Member of both the American Legion Post and the Fish and Game Association. He sang bass in choirs at the First Baptist Church, the Orff’s Corner Community Church, Bunker Hill Baptist Church, and in the Living Christmas Tree in Thomaston. His Eastern Star life was very important to him and allowed him to spend his free time with Laura doing something they both enjoyed. In 1977 he was elected Worthy Grand Patron of Maine, and in 2006 was appointed a General Grand Chapter Committee Member. For many years he served on the State Advisory Board of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls and was a holder of the Grand Cross of Color. Don was a member of the Maine St. Andrew’s Society and Board Member of the Jefferson Historical Society. He and Laura helped plan Jefferson’s Sesquicentennial in 1957 and its Bicentennial Celebration in 1976. He spent many hours on restoration efforts on the Old Town House. His dedication to his community resulted in his being chosen “Mr. Jefferson” by the Society, and receiving the Spirit of America Award from Willow Grange. He was selected to be Grand Marshal of the Jefferson Bicentennial Celebration in 2007. Don will be remembered for his strength, his leadership, his loyalty, his high standards and his sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. Don was pre-deceased by his parents and his wife, Laura. He is survived by his daughters Ruth Holden (David) of Jefferson and Martha “Muffie” Ellis (Jim) of Burnham; grandchildren Michael Holden (Denise) and Elizabeth Holden of East Boston, MA and Meghann Valente of Pittsfield; great granddaughters Mackenzie Holden of East Boston and Baylee Valente of Pittsfield; step-great grandsons Zachery and Jordan Valente of Pittsfield and Gavin Valente of Gorham. At Don’s request, there will be no funeral service, but a celebration of his life will be held in early summer on his back lawn by the river in Jefferson. Memorial gifts may be made to the ESTARL fund, the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, or the Jefferson Historical Society and sent c/o Ruth Holden, 227 Waldoboro Road, Jefferson, ME 04348.