Since 1943, Pierce Country Day School has been a Roslyn institution, providing summer camp fun for generations of local youth.
Earlier this month, on April 5, Doug Pierce, the longtime director at Pierce, died at age 70.
On Legacy.com., family members hailed Pierce as a “beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Brother-In-Law, Uncle, Cousin, Godfather, Friend and Big Chief.”
They added that Pierce passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep.”
“Doug was not only the leader of our family, but a leader in camping and our community,” the tribute continued. “He served as president of more organizations than can be named here but was most proud to be a founder of SCOPE to help as many children experience the magic of camp as possible. It gives us great comfort to know Doug’s legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of the countless lives he touched in our community.
A visitation was held on Tuesday April 18 and Wednesday April 19. The funeral mass was held on Thursday April 20 at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Interment followed at Holy Rood Cemetery Westbury.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation in Doug’s name to his favorite organization SCOPE: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/DougPierce.
Pierce’s impact on the Roslyn community was significant and large-reaching.
Pierce Country Day School was established in 1943 by Forrester Pierce Sr. Nearly three quarters of a century later the school remains under the proud ownership and guidance of third and fourth generation Pierce family members.
Douglas Pierce represented that tradition. Online reactions to his passing illustrated his contributions to the Roslyn community.
“I first met Doug in August of 1966 at LaSalle Military Academy, it was the start of a 57-year-old friendship. We were classmates, roomates, and teammates. Doug had an award winning smile and the heart of a giant. My sincere condolences to Marie, their daughters, his family Greg, Tom, Debbie,and Forrester.”
—-Joe Bruno
“Dear Marie, and girls and family. My heart is broken for your loss of beloved Doug. May God’s loving mercy comfort you all now and in the future. Prayers and hugs.”
—-Love, Mary A. Ballon
“Dear Marie & Family,
Don and I can’t express how so very sorry we are on hearing of Doug’s sudden passing.
Doug was a wonderful husband as well as a great dad to his three beautiful daughters and the best grandfather to his grandkids. He was also a loving, kind and generous uncle to so many nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by family and friends alike. We know that your hearts are broken and that we are keeping you and the family in our thoughts and prayers.”
—- Love, Don & Kathy
