Family, Friends and Community Say Goodbye to Richard 'Dick' Pierce

Family, friends and men in uniform will say goodbye today to father, grandfather, teacher, firefighter and police officer, Richard W. Pierce.

Born in Mansfield, MA, on May 19, 1930, he was a son of the late Clement A. and Margaret H. (Wilson) Pierce.

He was raised in Mansfield and was a 1951 graduate of Attleboro Vocational High School. Mr. Pierce received a bachelor’s of science degree in education from Fitchburg State College in 1981.

Previously, Pierce was a volunteer firefighter for the Mansfield Fire Department. He served on the Mansfield Fire Department with his father and two of his brothers.

He was a proud veteran of the United States. Air Force, having served from his enlistment on December 6, 1951, until his honorable discharge on December 1, 1955. He achieved the rank of staff sergeant and served with the military police unit. Mr. Pierce was also a member of the United States Air Force Reserve from December 1, 1955 to November 30, 1959.

Mr. Pierce was a tool maker for the Larsen Tool & Stamping Company for 15 years before becoming an educator.

He was also a special/auxiliary police officer for the City of Attleboro for 25 years. During that time he rose through the ranks to ultimately become the commander of the Attleboro Auxiliary Police Unit.

Mr. Pierce was a school teacher for the King Phillip Regional Vocational High School Department in Wrentham for 21 years, having been an educator in the vocational department before retiring in 1990.

During his career at King Phillip Regional Vocational High School he was the Director of the Adult Education Program, Director of Safety and Technical Programs, Coordinator of Occupational Education, Coordinator of Cooperative Education, and a Coordinator of Vocational Technical Programs.

Mr. Pierce took great pride in working closely with the many business leaders throughout the Attleboro area to ensure that his graduating students would have employment following their graduation from his vocational program. He received the Vocational Teacher of the Year Award in 1978.

Following his retirement he served as a school crossing guard for the Attleboro School Department for several years.

Mr. Pierce resided in Attleboro with his wife for 59 years and while living in Attleboro was a communicant of .

He was happiest when spending cherished time and creating lifelong memories with his beloved family.

In addition to his wife of 59 years, he is survived by his devoted four children: Retired Attleboro Police Chief Richard J. Pierce, Sr. and his wife Cynthia A. (Bussiere) Pierce of Attleboro, Marilyn A. (Pierce) Cassella and her husband David Cassella of East Taunton, Robert J. Pierce and his wife Linda (Macomber) Pierce of Attleboro and Attleboro Police Sergeant Jeffrey K. Pierce and his wife Amy (Henderson) Pierce of Attleboro. He was the cherished grandfather of Melissa-lynn Harwood, Richard J. Pierce, Jr., Kevin J. Pierce, Cherie A. Pierce, Erin L. Cassella, Robin L. Cassella, Samantha R. Pierce and Ashley E. Pierce, and was the loving great grandfather of Kristin L. Infante, Timothy A. Infante, Jr., Kayleigh A. Harwood, Nolan E. Pierce, Easton J. Harwood and Richard J. Pierce, III. He was the brother of Edward H. Pierce of Mansfield and the late Russell Pierce, Eleanor (Pierce) Paulsen and Clement Pierce.

A funeral procession will form on Friday morning July 29 beginning at 11 a.m. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North St., followed by services with military honors at 1 p.m. at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

Due to the limitation of flowers allowed at the National Cemetery, Richard’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to the Sturdy Memorial Hospital, 211 Park St., Attleboro, MA 02703, to benefit the Intensive Care Unit and the Respiratory Therapy Department.