Obituary of Ronald F. Pierce

Ronald Francis “Butch” Pierce, born October 21, 1941 to Donald and Helen Leary Pierce in Canandaigua. He died unexpectedly June 11, 2022. Butch is survived by his daughters Teresa (and Ed Sr) Randolph and Debbie (and Jim) O’Neil. Grandchildren LeEtta (Joe) Cook, Jeffrey Knaak, Ronnie (Becky Williams) Knaak, Ed Randolph Jr., Frances Paige O’Neil, Shawn Randolph, Matthew Randolph, Jordan Randolph. Siblings Ed Pierce, Joanne Sweet, Gary “Punk” (and Sally) Pierce, Nell Rosini, Charles “Chuck” Pierce, sister-in-law Jane Pierce. Predeceased by brothers Frank Pierce, Phil Pierce, sister Nenie Pierce, sister and brother-in-law Janet and Don Doell, sister-in-law Dot Pierce, brother-in-law Jim Rosini. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as countless good friends. Butch loved to socialize, tell a joke, have a good time. To honor that spirit, the family will host a gathering of friends and family to celebrate Butch’s life, Thursday June 23 from 1:30 – 4:00 at the Moose Club, Canandaigua, NY. Come prepared for prayers and remembrances at 2:00 – we hope to share lots of laughs amongst the tears. Butch spent his entire life in Canandaigua and loved his hometown, perhaps because the family that meant so much to him was there. Butch was close with his siblings, both socially and professionally –there are many stories of Butch, Chuck and Phil, as well as his cousin Tom, working together. Butch was an avid bowler and golfer in his younger years and still passionate about golf until his death, despite the fact that the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease made it difficult to play. Butch underwent surgery for DBS implant in 2019 to control the Parkinson’s symptoms – the family is pretty sure he went through this brain surgery primarily to get back out on the golf course. His older grandchildren referred to him as Papa Smurf when they were young because of the white beard and laugh, and we all think he secretly took pride in being told he looked a lot like Kenny Rogers. Butch was always willing to lend a hand, helping his children, nieces and nephews with home improvement projects, even last summer when he almost fell into the well he was helping Jim O’Neil cap. We all have something in our homes that we can look at as a reminder of his skill and caring. Butch’s family extends our sincere gratitude to the good Samaritans who stopped to help him on June 11, as well as the Ontario County Sheriff deputy and inspector and the staff at FFTH Emergency Room. A 2 PM celebration of his life will be held Thursday, June 23, at the Moose Club, 305 Ontario Street Ext, Canandaigua. Butch was proud to participate in Parkinson’s Disease research being done at U of R and really enjoyed working with the doctor and researchers on a study last fall and was hopeful to work with them on future projects. In support of his desire to support this research, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Parkinson Disease Research at the University of Rochester” in memory of Ronald F Pierce, mailing address University of Rochester, 300 East River Road, Box 270032, Rochester, NY 14627-8996