Lewis Edward Pierce Jr.

Known to all as Ed, he died peacefully at home in Royal Oaks, California where he had lived since 2013. He was 94 years old and died of natural causes after a full and active life.

The son of Lewis Edward Pierce, Sr., and Ann McKenna Pierce, he was born in Waterbury, Connecticut and lived there with his parents and three siblings until he went to college.

Ed graduated from Sacred Heart High School (where he endured being called "Pinky" Pierce) in 1949, Fairfield University in 1953 and subsequently from New Haven Teachers' College. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1955 after serving in Germany. His work in Connecticut public schools was interrupted by teaching in a Sydney, Australia high school for two years. Then he began a 15-year career at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich and Van Nostrand Reinhold publishing companies as vice-president and director of international sales. Another six years with the Diocese of Bridgeport schools ended with his final retirement which was filled with European and Asian travel.

Tennis, running, and fitness were favorite activities. His passion for skiing led to building a Vermont chalet with his father and brother-in-law, Alvin Pescetelli. Ed was a long-suffering Boston Red Sox fan and cheered for Notre Dame football, and Celtics basketball. He enjoyed classical music, especially opera. Catholic and Republican, he was a hospital volunteer, a supporter of veterans' causes, a hard-worker, and an all-around gentleman.

He is survived by June, his wife of 45 years; his sister, Joan Pescetelli; and her children, and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents, sister, Marianne Robbins, and brother, George Pierce pre-deceased him.

A mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Church on February 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Mehl's Colonial Chapel has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Published in The Pajaronian · January 27, 2026