Father George R. Pierce, 76, of Linesville, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at Meadville Medical Center. He was a retired Roman Catholic priest of the Greensburg Diocese for more than 50 years. Father Pierce was born Aug. 29, 1933, in Wildwood, Allegheny County, to the late Vance and Gertrude Knittle Pierce. He attended the former St. Fidelis High School and College in Herman and completed his priestly formation at St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe. He was ordained to the priesthood May 23, 1959, by Bishop Hugh L. Lamb at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. Father Pierce served as parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, Freeport (1959 to 1960); All Saints Parish, Masontown (1960 to 1963); Immaculate Conception Parish, Connellsville (1963 to 1966); the former St. Mary and Holy Trinity parishes, Ford City (1966 to 1967); and Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin (1967 to 1968). He served as pastor of the former St. Gertrude Parish, McIntyre, and its chapel in Aultman (1968 to 1972); Holy Family Parish, Seward, and its chapels in Bolivar and New Florence (1972 to 1985); Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Mary Parish, Leckrone (1985 to 1995); and the former St. James Parish, Maxwell, from 1995 until his retirement in 1998. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and photography. Survivors include three sisters, Trudy Stevenson of Butler, Mary Lynn Bartholomew and her husband, James, of Conneautville, and Teddy Jo Eichenlaub of Wexford; two brothers, Vince Pierce of Florida and Bartholomew Pierce of Linesville, with whom he had been living; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, David Joseph Pierce, Jim Pierce and John Pierce; and two sisters, Tess Simon and Vancey Hartwick. Calling hours will be Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, 6028 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville. A prayer vigil will be conducted at 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home by Father John A. Walsh of St. Philip Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, 401 S. Mercer St., Linesville, with the Most Rev. Lawrence E. Brandt, J.C.D., Ph.D., bishop of Greensburg, as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Philip Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, PO Box 823, Linesville, Pa. 16424. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at [email protected].
Published on November 20, 2009
Source: https://obituaries.meadvilletribune.com/obituary/george-pierce-752608561