GLOUCESTER: The Reverend Harvey L. Pierce, 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness.
Born in Brockton on February 15, 1919 along with his twin brother, Albert, they were the sons of the late Albert, Sr. and Marion (Crowell) Pierce. Both Harvey and Albert Jr. attended the Howard School and graduated from Brockton High School in 1937. From the time Harvey was a teenager and throughout his life, God and the ministry of the Christian faith was his calling.
Upon graduating high school he attended a Christian Endeavor conference in Northfield, MA in 1942, where he received a “call” to Christian Ministry which became his lifelong endeavor. During WWII, he entered the army where he became a Chaplain’s assistant after completing his training at Fort Knox. He served with distinction in Europe and received several medals during his military service.
Through the use of the G.I. Bill, Harvey graduated from Asbury College and Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky 1949. During his years at Asbury Seminary he pastored three churches in southern Ohio. He was ordained in November 1951. He first served the Tewksbury Congregational Church, the Winthrop Congregational Church in Holbrook, the Lanesville Congregational Church in Gloucester, and retired from the Adams Congregational Church in Adams, where he was given the honor, Pastor Emeritus. Young and old alike were always very grateful for his openness, caring, and availability for counsel. He will be truly missed by his many friends and family.
He was the beloved husband of Muriel, who predeceased him in January 1990. They had shared 37 wonderful years together, singing and ministering to people. Muriel was a gifted pianist who played in churches in the Brockton area and also in the various churches Harvey served. A few years later he married Loraine Tripp of Rochester, MA. He was the loving father of Daniel L. Pierce and his wife, Nancy of Green Bay, WI and Deborah J. Hartford and her husband, Timothy of Essex, MA. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Christy Robbins of Indianapolis, IN, Brent Pierce of Green Bay, WI, and Amanda Hartford of Essex, MA and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his twin brother Albert and several nieces and nephews and many friends.
His funeral services will be held on Friday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 – 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Friends of Seacoast, 292 Washington St., Gloucester, MA 01930 or the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472. Interment will be held in the Melrose Cemetery, Brockton.