Alfred R. Pierce, Obituary

The changing faces of leadership: Alfred R. Pierce is flanked by his parents, Russell and Viola, after he won re-election as mayor of Camden in 1965. Courier-Post photo.

Camden Courier-Post – September 16, 2005

Former Mayor of the City of Camden from 1959 through 1969, died on September 14, 2005 at the Masonic Home of New Jersey in Burlington. Mr. Pierce was born in Camden on October 21, 1920, the son of the late Russell and Viola Pierce, and brother of the late Mabel Robinson.

He attended Woodrow Wilson High School where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Barbara A. Markert. After graduating in 1939, he worked at Campbell Soup Company as a timekeeper while attending the College of South Jersey (known today as Rutgers in Camden). As WWII broke out, he enlisted in the US Army Air Force, achieved the rank of captain and piloted 51 missions in the African, Sicilian and Italian campaigns. After the war, he attended Dickinson Law School and graduated in 1948. He and his wife, Barbara, moved back to Camden where he practiced law, became a member of the School Board, and later ran for city government under the Save Our City Campaign.

Mr. Pierce was a champion for social justice in the 1960’s and continued that interest throughout his life. Mr. Pierce, nicknamed ‘Red’ at an early age because of his red hair, advocated fearlessly on behalf of others. After leaving public service, he re-entered the practice of law and world business. He also is the author of a book, ‘It is Finished,’ which approaches the Holy Scriptures with a legal curiosity.

Mr. Pierce is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Barbara; their three children, Barbara Pierce Farmer and her husband Lee, of Boulder, Colorado, Debra Star Pierce of San Anselmo, California, and Alfred R. Pierce, Jr. and his wife, Judy, of Moorestown, New Jersey. and three grandchildren, Alfred III, Brienne and Gianna, all of Moorestown, New Jersey. ‘Red’ will be greatly missed and live on in the hearts of his family and friends around the world. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude and appreciation to the wonderful people who helped care for Mr. Pierce during his last years spent at the Masonic Home.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday evening, September 18th from 6:00-8:00pm at SNOVER/GIVNISH of Cinnaminson, 1200 Rte. 130 North. Mr. Pierce’s nephew, Rev. Frank Robinson, will officiate at a memorial service on Monday September 19th at 11:00am, followed by the internment at Harleigh Cemetery, Camden, New Jersey.


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.