Edward Joseph Pierini

1926 - 2013
Edward Joseph (Ed) Pierini, Sr., a fourth generation native and lifetime resident of Sacramento died on May 24, 2012.

Mr. Pierini was born on August 14, 1926 at his family's early home on 10th and V Streets. Like his parents, grandparents and paternal great-grandfather, he was born, lived and loved his Sacramento. He always shared, with anyone who would listen, his pleasant yesteryear memories of a smaller and simpler Sacramento when most residents were natives.

Growing up in the family home at 24th & D Streets in midtown Sacramento, he attended Sacramento Catholic and public schools including St. Joseph Catholic School, William Land Elementary School, Marshall Elementary School, St. Francis Catholic School, Sutter Junior High School and Sacramento High School.

Mr. Pierini began working as a newspaper boy for the Sacramento Union at age 12, with an early-morning 100-newspaper Skid Row route on K Street between Front and 6th Streets. He later was a newspaper boy for the afternoon Sacramento Bee with a 50-customer route on G Street between 28th Street and Alhambra Boulevard.

In 1944, Mr. Pierini joined the Navy at age 17 and was a signalman assigned to LCI (G) 729, a landing craft artillery gunboat that patrolled various islands in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre during World War II.

A lifetime weightlifting enthusiast, Mr. Pierini returned home to Sacramento after the Navy and joined the Sacramento YMCA when it was located at 4th & J Streets. His gym pals included Olympic weightlifting legend Tommy Kono and Mr. America/Mr. Universe Bill Pearl who both lived in Sacramento during this era.

Mr. Pierini owned Sacramento Building Maintenance in the 1960's but spent most of his career as a taxicab driver for several taxicab companies and as an independent owner/driver. Former Governor Pat Brown and his daughter Kathleen, heavyweight champion Max Baer, and musical entertainers James Brown and Herb Albert were just a few of the known people he hauled in his cab during his 40 plus year career. He retired in 1988 and began a 24-year "second career" as caregiver for his disabled daughter until February when his incurable disease finally weakened his body to where he could no longer perform his caregiver duties.

He was preceded in death by parents Edward Batista Pierini and Lillie Rose Parsons, brother Wallace (Jim) Pierini and sister Evangeline Ketterling. He is survived by his former wife Phyllis Ceron and children: Edward Joseph Pierini, Jr., Joanne Rose Pierini, Deborah Jean Slaughter and John Anthony Ceron. He also leaves behind six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Catholic services on June 8, 2013 will include a Rosary at 9:00 a.m. and Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church at 5961 Franklin Boulevard in Sacramento. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at 6700 21st Avenue in Sacramento.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity or the Sacramento Life Center.