Robert Pierce

Franklin - Robert J. Uncle Bobby Pierce died on October 6, 2010 in St. Albans at the age of 97. The second of 5 brothers, he was born in Franklin on August 2, 1913, the son of Elbridge Leon and Mabel (Morgan) Pierce.

Uncle Bobbys early years were spent on the family farm in Franklin. Later, he moved to MA where he operated the John A. Sessions Dairy Farm in Hadley. In 1988, he moved back to his home town of Franklin where he generously devoted his time to assisting his niece and nephew, with labor and wisdom, in the operation of the E.K. Pierce Family Farm. While farming he always used the latest labor saving equipment, for example, he had a milking parlor well before such innovations were common in Vermont.

Uncle Bobby liked to call himself a thinking Republican , fiscally conservative and socially liberal . He was a believer in the Death with Dignity initiative which he had hoped would become law in his lifetime. Robert was, even in his latest years, well aware of international, national and local news. He read the daily and always had a wise, common sense understanding of events.

Robert was the historian of former townspeople for the Pierce Family. He was always keen to tell of relatives, their accomplishments and exploits and the Pierce family connections to their families. There were many quaint, humorous and poignant anecdotes in the history of the town. Robert became the patriarch of the Pierce family, outliving, by many years, his 4 brothers. His indigenous wisdom was offered, but never imposed on anyone. He was the soul of modesty and dignity and all of his Pierce relatives saw him as a role model for aging gracefully.

About 15 years ago, Robert started an annual family reunion event around Labor Day. Pierce relatives, both distant and close, including Roberts son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren from MA came faithfully to the get-together at Lake Carmi. The annual reunion tradition continues to this day and will continue into the future.

Robert faithfully delivered Meals on Wheels to the old folks in town until his 90th birthday. He insisted on living alone, in his own home, until an injury required hospitalization 2 weeks before his death.

Robert was a director of Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation, Inc. for many years as well as a director and building committee chairman of the Franklin Homestead, Inc., a past board member of the Planning Commission in Franklin and a delegate for DHIA and Eastern Artificial Insemination.

Robert is survived by his son, Billy Jacobs and wife, Elizabeth of Colrain, MA; granddaughters Cynthia Forbes and her husband Ron and their children Kate and Amy and Wendy Jacobs; 13 nieces and nephews and several great and great great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jane (Hackett) Pierce on June 22, 1972. They were married April 8, 1949. He was also predeceased by his brothers Charles, Elbridge, Philip and Winston.

A celebration of Roberts life will be held on Sunday, October 24, 2010 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in the Felco Room at the Franklin Homestead. Interment will take place at the convenience of Roberts family in the Franklin Village Cemetery.

Should friends desire, gifts in Roberts memory may be made to the Franklin County Humane Society, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, VT 05478.

Roberts family would like to thank his friends and neighbors who helped keep his driveway and walk clear of snow, his lawn mowed and his newspapers delivered to his doorstep. Uncle Bobbys fondest wish was to remain at home and these kindnesses helped realize his wish.