HUGH CORYDON PIERSON

CARIBOU – Our special pilot Hugh Corydon Pierson, peacefully passed away Jan. 16, 2005, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Oct. 20, 1932, in Portland the son of Olof Powers Pierson and Francis Hewitt Pierson. Hugh was a member of the Caribou High School Class of 1950. He dearly loved playing high school basketball. One of Hugh’s accomplishments was his selection for the Aroostook County All Stars his junior and senior years. Hugh attended Colby College, Ricker College, and the University of Maine at Orono. He then enlisted in the US Air Force where he trained to become a fighter pilot. The highlight of his Air Force career was flying with Chuck Yeager at George A.F.B. flight school in Victorville, Calif. Both Hugh and his father were members of the Caterpillar Club- a club of pilots whose lives were saved by parachutes. Hugh’s post Air Force career was a varied one and included managing Flintridge Furniture Company in California, owning and managing County Beverage in Caribou and establishing Hugo’s- a discount beverage and redemption center located on Bennet Drive. Later Hugh enjoyed a career as an independent salesman of potato starch and vegetable products. Hugh will long be remembered by his golfing friends for the colorful figure he cut on the course with his flamboyant wardrobe. His athletic prowess was legendary, especially given his rather large girth. Tennis, basketball, golf, ping pong- Hugh was a force to be reckoned with in all of these sports. Hugh and his wife, Carol, and their family spent many happy summers at their cottage at Cross Lake where they enjoyed reading and listening to the loons in the evening. On any Saturday night at the lake, Hugh and Carol could be found listening to their favorite PBS radio program, “Prairie Home Companion.” Hugh was a master of the cribbage board and the kitchen table at the lake hosted countless games. The family also enjoyed many summers in New Harbor at the Thompson Cottages and the old sea captain’s house. “Friendship nourished, grows. Friendship neglected slows.” Was a favorite quote authored by Hugh. Hugh loved to drive around town visiting friends. Long before the days of unlimited phone service for a flat fee, Hugh amassed large telephone bills as he kept in touch with old friends from high school, college, and his Air Force days. Hugh will be greatly missed by his friends and family for his warmth, generosity, sensitivity, and the special talent he had for making life and exciting adventure. Hugh is survived by his wife of 23 years, Carol Pierson; his son, Peter Pierson of Winthrop; his daughter, Karin Mullins and her husband, Jim, of Alaska; his daughter, Paige Pierson and her partner, Dee Dee Flagg, of California; grandchildren, Nathan, Maggie Mae, and Logan; two brothers, Peter O. Pierson of New York, Paul T. Pierson of Bucksport; a sister, Kristi Pierson Perrow of Naples, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his stepdaughter and her husband, Sharon and Erick Richards, of Oregon; and his stepson and his wife, Doug and Dr. Josette Hunter of Sierra Leone, Africa and their two children, David and Caleb. He will be fondly remembered by his first wife, Irmgard Pierson of Oak Harbor, Wash. who had a special place in his heart. Hugh will be missed by life long best friend, William Anderson who was a faithful visitor during Hugh’s last days. He will be remembered by several special foster sons, including Jeremy Moulton, Nathen Danforth, Michael Beals, Shane Donahue, Scott Decker, Marcus Kirk and Timothy Langlais. Hugh will be missed by his faithful little dog, Tasha, who was his constant companion and protector for the past eight years. In lieu of flowers, Hugh’s family requests that those friends wishing to honor his memory do so by making donations to Caribou Community Wellness Center, care of Caribou Rec. Center, 89 Bennet Drive, Caribou, ME 04736. Hugh was a life long member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Caribou. In keeping with his family’s tradition, Hugh chose to be cremated. Arrangements will be made through the Lancaster Funeral Home. A Celebration of Hugh’s life will be held in the summer of 2005 at his family home. An announcement of the date and time will be made in the spring. High Flight by John Magee “Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve Climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air…”