ORLAND – John Pierce, 73, passed away peacefully July 19, 2009, surrounded by those he loved at a Bangor hospital. He was born May 13, 1936, in Bangor, to Frank and Teddy (McGuane) Pierce. He graduated from General Motors Institute, Flint, Mich., with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. During his 41 years at General Motors-Chevrolet, he was a chassis and safety engineer for the motorsports racing group. After retirement he continued his love of racing by acting as a safety consultant for the Indy Racing League. The highlight of his career was the development and implementation of the SAFER barrier used at many racetracks today. John is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Shirley (Royse) Pierce; his two daughters, Joan Pierce of Sidney and Allison Pierce of Tamaqua, Pa.; his sister, Dawsie Pierce of Orland; numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, cats and granddogs. He was predeceased by his father, mother; and sister, Francine (Pierce) Sullivan. We express our deep gratitude to the doctors and nurses at the intensive care unit at Eastern Maine Medical Center, the staff at Stillwater Healthcare facility and Sandy SanAngelo for their expert and loving care of John and his family. Family and friends will gather for visitation 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church with Father Bruce Siket officiating. Burial will be afterward at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Cemetery, Bucksport. Those who wish to remember John in a special way may make donations in his memory to Friends of Fort Knox, P.O. Box 456, Bucksport, ME 04416 or Bangor Humane Society, 693B Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04402.
JOHN PIERCE
