Francis Eugene Pierce

Francis Eugene Pierce, 81, of Huger, South Carolina, passed away on June 1, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with dementia. Born on August 14, 1942, in Rockville, CT, Fran was the son of the late Ella Marie Pierce (Ryan) and Hilton Howard Pierce. 

Fran graduated from Windham Technical High School, and he worked as a concrete contractor for his entire life. Pierce Construction was the family business that he and his brothers, and eventually nephews as well worked together in, and he loved it. His reputation was second to none. Even in his last days he was still telling the doctors all about his concrete jobs that he worked on for all those years. 

Fran was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, New England Patriots fan, and UCONN Women’s Basketball fan. He was a member of the Italian Benefit Society in Stafford Springs, CT where one of his favorite pastimes was going down to “the club” to get a candy bar, diet coke, and play cards with the guys. But for all who knew him, his great love was the game of softball. Fran lived and breathed it. He was always going here and there and everywhere to catch a game when one of his teams or former players were playing. He could never get enough. His greatest achievements were being inducted into the Hall of Fame and winning the Class B World Championship in 1991. His teams and players meant the world to him. He was so proud of every player, every team, every win, every trophy (and everyone knows he had plenty of those)! 

Fran is preceded in death by his parents Hilton and Ella Pierce, his brother Clif Pierce, his sister Penny Rand, his brother-in-law Harry Rand, and his sisters-in-law Sissy Pierce, Carol Pierce and Joy Pierce. 

Fran will continue to be remembered and loved by his daughter Colleen Martin, his son-in-law Brian Martin, his granddaughter Allison Hunt and her husband Zach, his brothers Paul and Dwight Pierce, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He also will be remembered by his closest friends Roger Johnson and Dave Foss. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and techs on 3South at Roper St. Francis Hospital in Mount Pleasant for the compassionate care they gave to Fran and for the kindness they extended to our family.  

In following Fran’s wishes there will be no formal services, and burial will be private. A celebration of life will be held on a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fran’s favorite charity: 
 Our Companions Animal Rescue
 PO Box 956 
 Manchester, CT 06045

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.