HOLLIS, Maine- Newton “Kling” Pierce Jr, age 83, passed away on February 28th, 2025, at Brentwood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Yarmouth, Maine due to Vascular Dementia. He was born on March 8th, 1941, in Augusta, Maine and was the second born out of six children to Newton K. Pierce and Nathalie Carrie Gilbert Pierce. His parents divorced at the age of seven and his mother married John L. Pray in 1950 and he treated all six of her children like they were his very own.
Kling attended Cony High School in Augusta during his Freshman and Junior Years and Belgrade High School during his Sophomore and Senior Years. He graduated from Belgrade High School in 1959.
At the age of nine, Kling and his brothers worked at Charlie Mills Farm in Belgrade where they planted and drove the tractor for plowing. In his High School years, he worked at the Coca Cola Plant and pumped gas at a local gas station in Augusta near the rotary. After graduation, he was employed by the Maine DOT as a radio dispatcher and plowed the Maine Highways in the winter months and in the summer he worked as road maintenance.
Kling graduated from Tool and Die Maker School at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut in 1968. As a Tool and Die Maker he worked at GTE Sylvania in Standish Maine in the 1970’s and then to the Reece Corp in Gorham Maine where he was transferred to AMF Reece in Virginia where he also retired in 2006.
He met his wife, Linda Mary Wyman, on a blind date in May of 1962 and they were married on October 27th, 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. They celebrated their 62nd Wedding Anniversary last October 27th, 2024.
Kling was a quiet family man with a dry sense of humor but was always warm and welcoming. He was a friend and a neighbor who could be counted on if anyone needed help such as plowing driveways when he lived in Sebago or shoveling out an elderly neighbor’s driveway for the winter. He was a “jack of all trades” who loved projects and to use his hands and his mind. He worked on a three wheel motorcycle, built all three of his daughter’s baby dressing tables and many many other projects he has done throughout the years all with love. Kling was an animal whisperer to all and was warmly called “Dog Man” by his family because all dogs (and cats) adored him. In his later years he became a bird watcher but would also make sure to feed the squirrels and the chipmunks in the backyard.
Kling is survived by his wife, Linda (Wyman) Pierce, and their three daughters, Theresa Pierce of Hollis, Tina Wescott and Son-In-Law Mark Wescott of Venice Beach Florida and Sebago Maine, and Michele Lennon of Powhatan Virginia. His seven grandchildren Kari Plouffe, Ryan (Ashley) Plouffe, Delainey Wescott, Chase Wescott, Ainsley Wescott, Nathaniel Lennon and Veronica Lennon. He was also a Great Papa to Ellie and Leo Plouffe. His siblings Paul Pierce (Nancy) of South Carolina, Peggy (Steven) Herrick of Texas, Carol of Maine, and Tommy (Betty) Pierce of Maine. He has many more nieces and nephews across the country.
Kling was predeceased by his infant granddaughter Allyson Mary Plouffe, his parents, and his brother Larry Pierce.
His family would like to thank the staff at Maine Medical Center for their care and companionship.
Details to follow regarding a service.
In lieu of flowers please donate to your local animal shelters.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com