Of Waltham, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2017, at Newton/Wellesley Hospital following a brief battle with cancer at age 67. Throughout his illness, he was surrounded by his loving family and countless friends.

Donnie was born in Waltham, MA on March 3, 1949. He was the son of the late John and Emily (Bradshaw) Pierce. He was a graduate of Waltham High School class of 1967, a lifelong Waltham resident and a proud member of "The West End Boys", with whom, he remained friends for 60 years.

Prior to his retirement, Donnie worked for the City of Waltham, then The Walter E. Fernald School, where he remained for 25 years until his early retirement. During his last few years with The Fernald School, he took a part-time job at Costco in Waltham that he enjoyed so much, he remained after his retirement for the past 10 years.

Donnie's unwavering faith played an integral role in his life. He was a devoted Senior Soldier and Welcome Sergeant of The Salvation Army, Waltham Corps. He volunteered weekly at the Greater Boston Food Bank and picked up donations to various local food banks from Panera Bread every evening. He provided weekly transportation to and from church to parishioners who would otherwise be unable to attend. He was a dedicated bell-ringer during the Salvation Army's annual holiday kettle drive. No matter how wet or cold, or as with this past Christmas, no matter how much pain he was in, he would still honor his commitment to bell-ringing.

During his years at Waltham High School, Donnie was an outstanding and highly revered athlete, excelling in both baseball and hockey. He was co-captain of the varsity hockey team and held several records in baseball. His love of baseball began at the age of seven, with the Waltham Little Nippers, where he earned a coveted batting title with an average of .813; a record that stands to this day. He continued playing through the baseball ranks, up to and including Connie Mack, until he became a member of the Waltham High School varsity baseball team.

In recent years, to say that Donnie developed a passion for golf is an understatement. He would wake early, have his coffee, then go straight to the Leo J. Martin golf course every morning. When he could, he would golf twice a day. When he wasn't golfing, he was thinking about golfing. He absolutely loved it, and he enjoyed the fun and laughs he had with his golf buddies as well.

Donnie epitomized the expression, 'people person'. He was the life of any party or gathering. He was outgoing, friendly, jubilant and quite often, just plain silly. He loved to make people laugh, whether it be with him or at him for his silliness. He would wear crazy hats for the sole purpose of providing everyone a chuckle; hats with artificial hair, Christmas hats with antlers, fourth of July hats with fireworks. He had a silly hat for every occasion and enjoyed everyone's reaction to them. He had a huge heart; a servant's heart--one that was filled with his love of God; one that was always kind and always willing to help anyone that he could. He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his mother and father, Donnie is predeceased by his cherished son, Peter J. (P.J.) Pierce, who passed away in a tragic accident at age 15.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Lori (Dunlop) Pierce, loving and dedicated daughter, Kelly Dawn Pierce and her partner, Jason A. Stack of Boston; daughter Kimberly A.(Pierce) Fox and her partner Michael Carresi of Woburn; loving and devoted sister, Charlene (Pierce) Bourque of Naples, FL; brother and hero, John "Jack" Pierce and his wife Gretchen, of Sanford, ME; brother and friend, Clifton "Cliffie" Pierce and his wife Carol of Waltham, grandchildren Derek and Kira Fox of Woburn; nieces/nephews James Pierce and his wife Beth, of Waltham, William Pierce and his partner Michele, of Pembroke; Doreen (Pierce) Dow and her husband David of Hanson, MA and several extended family members.

Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Service in celebration of Donald’s Life in the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons Memorial, 773 Moody Street, WALTHAM on Wednesday morning Jan. 11th at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham. Visiting Hours will be held in the Mary Catherine Chapel on Tuesday from 4 – 8 p.m. Parking attendants on duty.

A celebration of life service in Donnie's memory, will also be held on SUNDAY January 15th at the Salvation Army Church, 33 Myrtle Street, Waltham.

Memorial donations in Donnie's name may be made to the P.J. Pierce Scholarship Fund, c/o Citizens Bank, 39 Nathan Ellis Highway, Mashpee, MA 02649 or the Salvation Army, 33 Myrtle Street, Waltham, MA 02453

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