May 2, 2012. Norman Englund Pierce of Haverhill Massachusetts, also formerly of Georgetown, MA and Bellingham, MA, loving Husband, Brother, Father & Grandfather, passed away today with his family at his side at the age of 82.

Born on Peaks Island in Maine, Norman spent his life surrounded by and enjoying the ocean. He spent his early years in the beauty and simplicity of island life with his family and graduated from Portland Deering High School in 1947. He then joined the Navy, touring the world on the destroyer USS Sullivans and proudly represented his country in the Korean War. Upon returning, he enrolled at Northeastern University where he received BA in English and furthered his education in graduate studies. Northeastern is also where he met his wife of 52 years, Carol, who has been his best friend and soul mate ever since.

Norman took his English degree and his love for helping others, and became an English teacher at Huntington School in Boston where he made a huge impact on many young adults. After several years, he was promoted to Headmaster of Huntington and soon led the effort to merge the school with Chapel Hill-Chauncey Hall in Waltham Massachusetts, ensuring that the combined institutions could prosper. In 2010 The Chapel Hill-Chauncey Hall school dedicated the Norman E. Pierce Pavilion in his honor. At the dedication ceremony a gathering of former students and colleagues paid tribute to a man who positively affected so many lives. After his tenure at Chapel Hill-Chauncey Hall, Norman began helping the younger generation as the Director of the Haverhill Day Care Center where he finished his teaching career by providing a safe and developmental environment for families with young children.

Giving to others, especially children and young adults, is what Norman will be remembered for most. As his family grew up in Georgetown Massachusetts, he was actively involved with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, coached youth soccer and baseball, and numerous other youth activities. He taught both his children and others how to enjoy the outdoors through camping, hiking, canoeing, archery and other such activities. He also shared his love of animals with his entire family which involved everything from cats and dogs, to chickens and pigs. Norman had a passion for classical music and was actively involved in several church choirs and was a tenor in a quartet. He often enjoyed time at Symphony Hall in Boston with his wife and they attended several Tanglewood concerts in Western Massachusetts.

This down to earth philosophy and guidance also meant teaching a strong work ethic and life skills to his children, grandchildren and students. Even after retiring, Norman continued to tutor underserved children for decades, making a profound impact on young adults who needed and thrived on his focused attention.

Norman was pre-deceased by his mother Esther Pierce and is survived by his loving wife Carol Greene Pierce, daughter Erica and her husband Mike, son Andrew and his wife Dawn, son Arthur and his wife Robyn, and 9 grandchildren, Joshua, Erin, Liana, Madison, Olivia, Kayleigh, Kara, Carly, and Taylor. He also leaves two sisters, Barbara and Dorothy, a late brother Robert, and many nieces and nephews. "Grandpa" as he became known, was a true patriarch of the family and highly loved by all.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Plaistow, NH at 122 Main Street, Plaistow, NH 03865 on Monday May 28th at 10AM. His remains will be returned to Peaks Island where his life began. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make donations to the First Baptist Church of Plaistow in the name of Norman Englund Pierce. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Merton E. Roberts, Jr. and Conte Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant Street, Georgetown.