Robert Pierce

Constantly curious, "professional provocateur," and moral compass Robert Pierce sailed into the mystic on November 07, 2023.

Born in 1936 in Northeast, PA, he was the seventh of ten children. He received his undergraduate degree from Franklin College in Indiana but received his calling and began his professional education at Andover Newton Theological School. He received his Master of Divinity degree in 1962 and proudly celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination in 2012.

Robert worked for the American Baptist Churches, USA; the National Council of Churches of Christ, USA; the Schenectady (NY) Inner City Ministry; and retired as the Executive Director of the Long Island (NY) Council of Churches. Robert was passionate about helping community and faith-based organizations reach their full potential, providing consulting services in organizational, process, and group development.

Among many other awards, Robert received the 1995 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. award from the First Baptist Church in Riverhead, NY, for outstanding community leadership. Civil rights, HIV/AIDS, Habitat for Humanity, and the Peaceful Dwelling Project were also important causes for Robert. 

A thirty-eight-year Bay Shore, NY resident, Robert relished his neighbors, friends, family, and especially his walks on the beach. Since 1985, Robert was a Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ member and served in several roles, including board and committee member, teacher, interim and substitute pastor.

Robert celebrated 64 years of marriage with Martha Carol Gardner, his high-school sweetheart, who predeceased him earlier this year. Robert and Martha were survived by and the proud parents of two sons, Nathan (Mindy) and Daniel. Robert is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Helen and Ron Feldman of Erie, PA; sister-in-law Mary Lill Lee of Petaluma, CA; and her daughters Cathy and Susan. Many other nieces and nephews also survive him.  

Robert was grateful for all the communities in his life: Reverend Ray Bagnuolo, Karen and Hank Maust, and his entire church family, his neighbors, particularly Jim and Mary Beth Reilly, and long-time friends as well as professional colleagues Larry and Chris Deyss, Steve and Mary Greenfield, and their families for their years of friendship and support. Robert appreciated the medical teams and staff, first responders, Marion and other caregivers who allowed him to fulfill his wish of staying in his home as long as possible.  All of these relationships, and countless others - even if not listed here, profoundly enriched Robert's life. 

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on January 13, 2024, at 10:30 am at the Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ, and will be live-streamed. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ, Planned Parenthood, Day Haven, or the Alzheimer's Association.