Alexander Strong "Gus" Pirnie

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Al "Gus" Pirnie on October 9, 2025, at the age of 80. He passed away peacefully, with his wife, daughter, and father-in-law by his side. Al died of pneumonia caused by complications of metastatic prostate cancer. He was an exceptionally talented actor, skilled carpenter, lifelong Elvis fan, lover of nature, and avid fan of The Patriots. His loved ones meant the world to him. He had a captivating smile and a wonderful laugh.

Alexander Strong Pirnie was born in Louisville, KY on July 28th, 1945. His father, a Captain in the Army, took his first look at him and called him "Ghastly Gus", which is how he got his nickname. For Gus's first six years, his family lived on his grandparents' farm in Dover, MA. They then moved to Springfield, VT. Gus and his older brother Bruce "Whip" learned to sail a schooner from their grandfather in Damariscotta, ME. His family were avid skiers. He was the youngest person to become a member of the Ski Patrol at Okemo Mountain, VT, and saved many lives.

Al attended the Boston Cambridge School of Radio and Television. He graduated with honors in 1965, and shortly thereafter married his first wife, Jane "Sandy" Walvick. He worked in banking, then real estate until he realized his passion for doing construction, ultimately owning his own construction company. During his career, he built many houses in the greater Burlington area. To his and Sandy's great joy, their daughter Melanie was born in 1974. She was raised in Burlington, MA.

Burlington was where he began his immensely successful acting career. A prolific resume, some of his favorite shows early in his career were The Five Year Itch, Run For Your Wife, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and On Golden Pond (twice). Gus was a talented and respected director. He built incredible sets, one of his favorite things to do. He also enjoyed some success in sci-fi films under the name Alex Pirnie. His most notable films are A Nymphoid Barbarian In Dinosaur Hell and They Bite.

Sandy passed away from cancer in 1995. He had a second wife, Susan Melendy. They lived in Loudon, NH, until they divorced. Gus had transitioned to working online in the sales of computer cables, and continued to be very active in the theater community.

In 2013, he crossed paths with Chrissy Lewis, the person he would come to call the love of his life. The two were married in 2018. They flourished doing theater together, including Bill W and Dr Bob (twice), A Nice Family Gathering, I Hate Hamlet, five seasons of Suburban Holidays, and roles in the podcast Putting 2 & 2 Together. They had many wonderful adventures, though some of their favorite times were spent cozy at home together in Chelmsford, MA. For eight years, they navigated the challenging experience of managing and living with metastatic prostate cancer. He was incredibly brave and strong in his battle - but, of course, Strong WAS his middle name.

Alexander is survived by his devoted wife Chrissy, his daughter Melanie (Ryan), grandson Casey, nieces Catherine (Peter), Elizabeth (Rob) and their mother, Karen, niece Jae (Kevin) and her mother, Jane, parents-in-law Linda and Peter, brother-in-law Kyle (Holly) and his son Wesley, brother-in-law David, lifelong friends Betsey (Jim), Jeff Stevens, and The Adlards, and a dearly cherished circle of theater friends. He is predeceased by his parents Elizabeth and W. Bruce, stepmother Joann, brother Whip, and cousin Dee.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 25, 2026, at The American Legion in Burlington, MA, from 4-8 pm. Donations can be made to help his family with end of life expenses to https://gofund.me/647072d83

Also, in Gus's honor - support your local theater company. Buy some tickets and enjoy a show. Help build or paint a set on a Saturday afternoon. You'll be glad you did.