Obituary
The Family of the late Captain Albert Piercey, who passed away peacefully on February 10th, 2022, at home surrounded by family. Would like to invite you for a celbration of Albert’s life on Tuesday, June 12, 2022 from 2:00 -4:00 pm at the Shrine Club 530 Topsail Road. Albert’s wishes was to have a party in his memory. We invite you to join us to share memories of Albert.
Born in Sunnyside, Trinity Bay, NL February 5th, 1922. He was predeceased by his wife, Annie Viola (Handcock); parents, Jacob & Lillian (Gregory) Piercey; infant daughter, Lola; son, Albert and great grandchildren, Henry John & Novah Jean Hillier, Grayson Edward Piercey; siblings, James “Jim”, John Malcolm “Mac”, Llewelyn “Lou”, Sarah “Sadie” Delurey, Elizabeth “Bessie” Thorne, Ethel O’Brien, Elsie Synyard, and Mary Francis Smith. Leaving to mourn his children, Valerie Piercey (Dominique Couture); Elaine Hunter; Jean (Gary) Patterson; Pamela (Junior) Patterson; Catherine “Kathy” Piercey; Reid (Kimberley); Clark (Laura); Irene (Bob) Garrigan and Stephen (Donna Lomond). Sister, Eunice Antel; brothers, Robert “Bob” and Walter (Doris). 27 Grandchildren, 28 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
In his early teens Albert spent his summers fishing on the Labrador. During WWII, he served two years with the Scottish Forestry Services and then four and a half years with British Royal Navy as a Seaman Gunner on minesweepers in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and South Pacific. He then returned to St. John’s where he attended Memorial College and received his Master Mariners ticket. After college, he became first mate, then captain in charge of cargo vessels sailing from Montreal to Halifax and St. John’s.
Albert joined the Canadian Coast Guard in 1958 serving as Captain for 35 years where he commanded the CCGS Skua, Wolfe, Alert, Labrador, John A MacDonald, and Sir John Franklin (Amundsen). He provided buoy, lighthouse tending, ice breaking services, fisheries patrol, search & rescue, supplied northern communities with food, fuel, mail and building materials. His work took him to the Great Lakes, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, and Canada’s North. While on the Sir John Franklin, he completed circumnavigation of North America and later the northern archipelago. He also aided in scientific and hydrographic surveying of Canada’s North.
During his studies he met Annie, who was to be the love of his life. They met at a dance and spent the next 72 years together (68 Married) in St. John’s, Portugal Cove, Sainte-Foy, Upper Falmouth, and Mount Pearl.
Since 1963 Albert has been a dedicated Freemason and Shriner donating his time to fundraising efforts and charity work for the Mason’s and Shriners.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Mazol Shriners Canadian Children’s Hospital Fund. www.mazolshriners.com/donate/
No Funeral service will be held, a celebration of life will be announced later.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Albert Piercey 2022..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N