David L. Peirce

David L. Peirce, 93, passed on April 19, 2022 at his home in Coatesville, PA. The son of Alma Lear Peirce and Albert K. Peirce, David was a native of Lexington, MA, so it is fitting that he passed on Patriots’ Day. He graduated from high school in Lexington and earned a degree in Economics at Tufts University, where he was president of the Gamma Beta Chapter of the ATO Fraternity until graduating in 1950. He enlisted and very proudly served in the US Air Force and remained a reservist until 1964, attaining the rank of Captain. He was Director of Sales and Marketing at Dennison Manufacturing Company in Framingham, MA until 1968. As a young father, he served as Chairman of the Sachem Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was a coach for the Holliston Little League. In 1968, he moved with his family to West Chester, PA and became President and CEO of the Denney-Reyburn Company until his retirement in 1988. During that time, he served as President of the Tag and Label Manufacturing Institute (TLMI). David was deeply committed to economic development, community service, and scholarship opportunities in West Chester and Chester County. He was President and Melvin Jones Fellow of the West Chester Lions Club; Trustee of the Chester County YMCA; President of the Chester County Historical Society; Founding Chairman of the Chester County Partnership for Economic Development; Chairman of the Chester County Business and Industry Council; Chairman of the West Chester Home Rule Study Commission; and President of the West Chester Trust and Relief Society. Even in retirement, he remained active as a Director of the First National Bank of West Chester and the First West Chester Corporation. He was especially dedicated to his work with the West Chester University, where he served on the President’s Advisory Council and as Executive Director and Treasurer of the West Chester University Foundation. David enjoyed fishing, was a voracious reader, an excellent cook, and an avid tennis player participating in league play with his wife Betty into his 80s. He is survived by his cherished wife of 69 years, Betty M. Peirce; his three children, Laurence L. Peirce III and his wife Zella Kay of Coatesville, Barbara Peirce and her husband Daniel W. Hinkle of Downingtown, and Melinda Peirce Brinson and her husband Oscar of Pilot, Va; and his six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. Interment will be at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, PA with a brief service at 2:30 PM on Friday, April 29. Family and friends are invited to a memorial service and reception to be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 7, 2022 in the West Chester University Foundation Ballroom, 202 Carter Dr., West Chester, PA 19382. In Lieu of flowers, please consider donation in David’s name to the West Chester University Foundation (go.wcufoundation.org) and/or to the Freedom Village at Brandywine Scholarship Fund, Inc., 403 Freedom Blvd., Coatesville, PA 19320. Condolences may be made by visiting:www.foundsferyo.com.