Michael F. Pierce

Michael F. Pierce, 87, passed away on Sept. 11, 2023, at Concord Hospital.

Mike was born in Worcester, Mass., on Feb. 19, 1936, to parents Charles A. Pierce and Rose (Sauro) Janulewicz. As soon as he was considered old enough, he began working as a milk delivery boy in the neighborhood. This early taste of being out in the workforce convinced Mike that formal education was not for him, and he left school after he completed the eighth grade. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Marines and served his country in the Korean War.

Mike joined the Teamsters (UAW) in the 1960s, and spent his life doing what he loved, living on the open road as a long-haul truck driver, working mainly for General Motors (Anchor Motor Freight) out of New York for over 40 years. Even when he retired from trucking, Mike took on a part-time job delivering fleet cars for Merchants Auto in Hooksett, N.H.

Mike married the love of his life, Leslie Anne Keese, in 1971. They lived in various cities and towns across upstate New York and central Mass., eventually settling in Northfield, N.H., in a small mobile home. Mike built a house on the property, teaching himself how-to by reading construction guidebooks at the local library on the weekends. They relocated to Concord, N.H., upon retirement. Mike was devoted to Leslie, serving as her caregiver during her battle with cancer until she died in 2021, just weeks shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.

It's hard to write an obituary that properly captures both the greatness and the simplicity of his life. He was a quiet man when it came to speaking about the past -- his youth, his first marriage, his military service. He did love to talk of his travels and if you were planning a trip, he would recommend the best motel options as well as the easiest route to get there (regardless if you asked). He claimed he wasn't a big fan of the holidays, but kept his grandparents' Christmas Eve supper traditions every year until the last. He enjoyed family camping trips in Maine every summer along with fried seafood feasts. He will be remembered most for his quick wit and ability to make others laugh, even though his jokes remained the same for over 50 years. He will surely be missed by all who knew him and laughed with him.

Mike is predeceased by his parents, brother, wife, and many lifelong friends from his local union. Mike is survived by his children, Wendy Pierce of Worcester, Mass., Michael Pierce (Maria) of New Haven, Connecticut, Mark Pierce (Lourdes) of Yorktown, Virginia, Christine Pellegrino (Nicholas) of Marlborough, Mass., Jeffrey Pierce of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, April Bryant (Jeremy) of Shelburne Falls, Mass.; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

There will be no calling hours and a private burial will be on a future date. He will be laid to rest at Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord, N.H., finally reunited with Leslie in eternity.