Robert E. Pierce

1940 - 2021

Robert E. Pierce, 81, of Bear Creek Road. Ridgway, PA on Friday, November 5th, 2021 left us to join his beloved family and friends in Heaven.
He was born on Sunday, August 4th,1940 in Ridgway, the son of the late Frank and Catherine (McLaughlin) Pierce who preceded him in passing. On a Thursday, November 23, 1961 he married the love of his life, wife of 36 years, Joan Heiberger in St. Marys, who passed away on August 16, 1997. Together they built a wonderful life, and a beautiful family, having six children, that they were both very proud of.
Robert attended Ridgway schools and graduated in 1958 and was a Veteran of the US Navy.
He worked most of his career at Molded Materials (later Motion Control), where he started as a laborer working his way to ultimately leaving as the Plant Operations Manager. He also worked as Plant Manager of Metco in St. Marys until his retirement.
Over the last 20 years he was a Transportation Contractor for IU9, driving preschool children. He often said that driving children was the best job he ever had. He thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the children, parents, grandparents, teachers, and aides. He held this job right up until just earlier this year.
He was a member of the St Leo's Catholic Church in Ridgway, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles #469, American Legion Post #208, VFW Post #5887, and lastly the Ridgway Fire Department for over 50 years all of which in Ridgway.
Robert's passions were any project that used his mind and hands, gardening, vacationing at the beach with his family, hunting, fishing, or just being in the outdoors with his sons. He lived in Bear Creek, where he has owned property since the early 1960s and called it home for the last 20 plus years. He also, could never turn down a good card game with family or friends
He really enjoyed dancing and would travel miles with his longtime companion Margaret Bratton to attend dances, often dancing all night to almost every song.
Robert leaves behind the people he was most proud of, the people to which he was an anchor, advocate, mentor and role model, his six children Laura Kocjancic (John), Timothy Pierce (Wendy), Robert Pierce (Christie), Patrick Pierce (Kim), Paula Pierce (Tony) and Kelly Pierce Peterson, his 17 grandchildren: Courtney, John Paar, Jaclyn, Ellie, Frank, Simone, Justin, Emily, Luke, Lydia, Brianna, Jenna, Pierce, Marcus, Gabriel, Hannah and Noah and 10 great grandchildren: Jack, Charlie, Sam, Boyd, Hank, Will, Rory, Wesley, Layken and Archie, and he is also survived by his companion Margaret Bratton, a sister Shirley Redmond and his two dogs, Lexie and Maggie which he left to an incredible family that will love them unconditionally as they did him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Brothers Carl, Earl and Frank, and three of his best friends Buffy, Shadow and Betsy.
The family will welcome friends between the hours of 9 am and 11 am on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the St Leo's Catholic Church – 111 Depot St., Ridgway, PA 15825 followed immediately with a celebration of life at 11 am with Father Justin Pino officiating. Internment will take place at the St. Leo's Cemetery in Ridgway.
In loving memory of Robert, the family would appreciate on his behalf, any memorial contributions in his name be made to the Penn Highlands Community Nurses – 757 Johnsonburg-St. Mary's Rd. #200 St. Mary's, PA 15857, the Elk County Humane Society – 1029 Eschbach Rd. St. Mary's, PA 15857 or to the Ridgway Fire Station 4-41 – 30 North Broad Street, Ridgway, PA 15853
Flowers may be sent to St Leo's Church - 111 Depot St., Ridgway Pa 15853
Arrangements are under the care of the Peterson Funeral Home, 153 Jefferson St. Brookville, PA 15825, (814) 849-8355.