Mitchell Pierson Jr.

Mitchell Pierson Jr. died on Easter Sunday at the age of 88.
Mitch was a Rochesterian through and through and dedicated much of his life to supporting local charities. He served on several boards including The Landmark Society, The Red Cross, Greater Rochester Association of Realtors, and the Seneca Park Zoo. He worked on campaigns for The United Way and supported Challenger Baseball. He was on the vestry at Christ Church of Pittsford where he was the Warden from 2004-2007. He was also on the Board of Directors at the Country Club of Rochester and the Genesee Valley Club where he acted as President from 1991-1993.
Mitch attended St. George's School in Newport, RI. He loved the school and dedicated countless hours to fund raising and writing up class notes. In 2006 the school honored him with the Howard B, Dean Service Award.
After St. George's, Mitch attended the University of Pennsylvania. He interrupted his studies to serve in the US Army but returned to Penn and graduated in 1958.
An avid sportsman, he played golf and squash. He was at home in the water whether scuba diving, sea-kayaking, or swimming competitively both at St. George's and later in Masters meets. He rode as a child and then returned to it when he was about 60. He foxhunted and earned his colors with both Hopper Hills Hunt and the Genesee Valley Hunt. Of all his sports, though, crew was his favorite. If he met a young person who was tall, he immediately encouraged them to row.
Mitch established Mitchell Pierson, Jr. Realtors, Inc. in 1973 in a small office the Phoenix Building at the Four Corners of Pittsford. That office remains one of the only locally owned real estate businesses in the Rochester area.
Mitch was predeceased by his mother and father, Mitchell and Esther Estelle (Red) Fairchild Pierson; his brother-in-law, William A. Carrozo; his sister-in law, Jackie Hunsicker; his grandson, Samuel James Pierson; and countless friends. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Louisa (Wezo); his oldest son, Mitchell Pierson, III (Trip) and his wife, Ani Tilden Pierson, and their two children Mitchell Pierson, IV (Hap), 22, and Tatem Tilden Pierson (Tate), 20; his younger son, John Strawbridge Pierson (Jake), his wife Kerry Kelly Pierson and their two sons, John Strawbridge Pierson, Jr., 15, and Charles Bayer Pierson, 8. He is also survived by his two sisters, DeeDee Higgins, her husband Ken Higgins, and Gay Carrozo; his brother-in-law, Freedley Hunsicker; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, April 23, 1PM at Christ Episcopal Church, 36 South Main Street. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9jQKeE47I8. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mitch's name should go to Challenger Miracle Field, c/o Tony Wells, 2 Harrington Drive, Fairport, NY, 14450; Genesee Valley Conservancy; Christ Church, Pittsford; or St. George's School.