Emile R. Pierel, 92, of Cumberland died Saturday morning at the Holiday in Manville. He was the loving husband of the late Lucienne F. (Godin) Pierel. They were married on May 31, 1947 and shared over 68 years together until her passing in 2015.
Born and raised in Woonsocket he was a son of the late Emile B. and Emma (Fafard) Pierel. Mr. Pierel was a resident of Cumberland for most of his adult life. He attended Mt. St. Charles Academy for several years, however as with many others of his generation he left school to enter the military upon the outbreak of the Second World War.
Mr. Pierel was a veteran of the U. S. Navy. He served as a Coxswain Mate with the Seabees in the European Theatre. He was involved in the construction of pontoon bridges and many other logistical hurdles that were feats of engineering done with old fashioned ingenuity during the landing and invasion of southern France by American forces.
After working for the Ice Cream Corporation of Rhode Island, known widely as Peter Pan Ice Cream, Emile purchased the fledgling business. Under his leadership the firm, at one time close to bankruptcy, flourished and became the largest independent ice cream manufacturer in New England. After assembling a team of loyal employees, including his nephew Roland Parenteau as production manager, Emile put his heart and soul into Peter Pan. Long road trips, many late nights and tense negotiations with vendors and customers were no match for Emile’s energy and inner drive to make his company a success. He later became the president of the New England Dairy Technology Association.
Upon his retirement in 1987 leisure time found Emile and Lucienne traveling extensively, spending time at their summer home in South County and winters in Florida. He also enjoyed crafting pins from eyeglasses, playing bingo and was a member of the St. Joseph Sr. Citizens and the Royal Travelers.
He is survived by two sons Ronald A. Pierel and his wife, Nancy, of Cumberland and Daniel M. Pierel of Pawtucket and a daughter Celeste R. Brant and her husband, Tom, of North Providence. He was the brother of Jeanne Marie Soucy of FL, Ruth Pierel Phillips of Texas and the late Marcel, Andre, Bernard and Adrien Pierel, Gabrielle Blanchette and Gertrude Marchand. He is also survived by three grandchildren Devin Pierel, Stephanie Cory and Christopher Gaydos, 3 great-grandchildren Alexis, Guiliana and Shea and many nieces and nephews and their families. He was the grandfather of the late Crystle Pierel.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 10:00 am in St. Joan of Arc Church, Mendon Rd. Cumberland. Burial will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery, Bellingham. Visiting hours are Thursday morning from 8:30-9:30 am, prior to Mass, in the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. www.menardfuneralhome.com