A much beloved former Ipswich businessman and entertainer, Richard Paul Pierce of Sandown, New Hampshire passed away Sunday, September 11, 2022, in his home. Richard was born in Buffalo, New York on February 15, 1956, the fifth child of Douglas and Nicole Pierce who resided in Windsor, Massachusetts until their deaths in 2013. He lived in Pelham, New York, then moved to Foxboro, Massachusetts where he graduated from high school in 1975. His first job was at Jesse Graham Furniture Company in Somerville, Massachusetts where he developed his talent and passion for furniture making. In 1976, he started Pierce & Co, Inc., in Ipswich, Massachusetts with his older brother, Steve. Later known as Pierce Furniture Factory, the company thrived and grew, becoming widely acclaimed throughout New England.

Rich employed and enjoyed mentoring many local youth at his company. He valued his employees and appreciated their dedication, hard work, and friendship.

Richard, Richie, Uncle Richie, was a vibrant member of the Pierce Clan. Whether playing music with his Uncles and cousins at family reunions or roughhousing with the children, Rich loved his family. And, his personality was such that he was instantly embraced by Laurie's expansive family as evidenced by being given the honor of carving the turkey on his very first Thanksgiving with them. Despite his nerves, he executed the task perfectly. And, of course, his grandchildren adored their fun-loving and entertaining Papa Richie.

His children cherish their special memories with their father who loved to cook and kept them well fed. Rich often admonished Brittany to "Leave that mirror alone!" He called his black-haired daughter "his favorite blonde." And, how many fathers would chase their high school daughter across a field while she was skipping school? Of late, Skylar has relied on Rich for cooking advice as he walked her, step-by-step, through intricate dishes such as how to boil chicken or broil a pork chop. And Jared spent hours upon hours leaping across the trampoline to catch footballs thrown by his father. How Rich's arm remained attached to his body is a mystery to us all. And those sweet Sundays at Jenness Beach, surfboards, boogie boards, skimboards, and, of course, seaweed tag… followed by ice cream and listening to the Red Sox on the drive home.

Besides being a wonderful human and a talented furniture maker, Richard loved to play the blues on his harmonica with friends, and for a time, with his dear friend, Orv, and the Orville Giddings Band. He loved the N.E. Patriots, skiing, bike riding, camping with his family, and, in recent years, floating on his lake in Sandown.

Richard is predeceased by his parents, Doug and Nicole Pierce, and his brothers, Tom and Steve, and sister-in-law, Deb Pierce. He is survived by his wife, Laurie Senechal of Amesbury, Massachusetts; his daughter Brittany Silva Pierce and her daughter, Aspen of Ormond Beach, Florida; his daughter, Skylar Silva and her sons JJ and Matthew of Gloucester, Massachusetts; his son, Jared Pierce of Amesbury, Massachusetts, his brother Doug Pierce and his wife, Julie of Dillon, Colorado; his sister, Jeannette Pierce of Westfield, Massachusetts; his sister, Michele Loehr and her husband, Kevin of Hancock, Massachusetts; and 10 nieces and nephews and many loving in-laws.

We will share fond memories of Rich at an outdoor gathering of friends and family on Saturday, September 17 at 3:00 pm at 21D Madison St, Amesbury, MA. All are welcome, and musical instruments are encouraged.

A Graveside service will be held on October 16, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Hinsdale Town Cemetery, Maple Street, Hinsdale, Massachusetts with a reception following.

Please join us as we celebrate the life of Richard/Rich/Richie Pierce.

Memorial donations in his memory may be made to https://www.autismspeaks.org/ .