Thomas E. Pierson

Thomas E. Pierson died suddenly on March 21, 2009 in Naples, FL. He was 84 years old. Mr. Pierson was born in Grasonville, MD on March 15, 1925. He attended school in Grasonville, MD. On October 12, 1942, Mr. Pierson married Lorraine Jones of Chester, MD who predeceased him on May 5, 1995. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII in Normandy and later volunteered to serve in Okinawa and mainland Japan aboard the USS LCI 83. Mr. Pierson received an honorable discharge as a gunners mate second class. After the War, Mr. Pierson entered the plumbing business through the GI bill program and in 1951 started Thomas E. Pierson Plumbing. Highly regarded and having earned a reputation for attention to detail, he later expanded, became Thomas E. Pierson and Sons, Inc. and diversified to include heating, cooling, sanitation services and Nanticoke Homes without ever compromising his principles. He retired as a successful businessman and entrepreneur in 1980 and during 1982-1986, Mr. Pierson served honorably as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner. He married Mary Lou O’Hare Rosendale of Centreville, MD on November 16, 1996. During the 1960’s, he was selected to serve on the Bi-racial Committee for Public Accommodations. He was later appointed by Governor Tawes of Maryland to the State Plumbing Commission and for 24 years served under four separate governors holding the position of Chairman of the Board for ten of those years. In 1972, he was also appointed by the Governor of Maryland as Chairman of the Adhoc Committee to write the State Plumbing Code and Guidelines for which he later received a Governor’s Citation. He served on the Queen Anne’s County High School Building Committee for the initial construction of that facility. Mr. Pierson was a member of the Master Plumbing, Heating and Cooling State Association and served on the Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Queen Anne’s County High School Vocational Training Committee. He received both the “Man of Year” award and the “Businessman of the Year” award from the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Pierson was a member of the Immanuel United Methodist Church of Grasonville, MD and St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church of Queenstown, MD. He was a charter member and past Commander of the Grasonville VFW Post #7464, a member of the Queenstown American Legion Post #0296 and a member of the Bay Country Moose Lodge #831. He was also a past member of the Kent Island Yacht Club and Prospect Bay Country Club. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Pierson of Centreville, MD; three sons, Douglas Pierson and his fiancé, Doris Korkowski, of St. Michaels, MD, James Pierson and his wife, Betsy, of Stevensville, MD, and Martin Pierson and his fiancé, Penny T. Crouch, of Grasonville, MD; five step-children, Christopher J. Rosendale, Jr. of Centreville, MD, Eileen Rosendale Garza of Magnolia, TX, Matthew Rosendale, Sr. of Glendive, MT, Daniel D. Rosendale of Centreville, MD, and Michael Rosendale of Stevensville, MD; four siblings, Robert Pierson of Grasonsville, MD, Jerry Pierson of Chester, MD, Catherine Heim of Stevensville, MD, and Gloria Kelly of Stevensville, MD; four grandchildren, Monica Pierson of Stevensville, MD, Lacey Pierson of Easton, MD, Corey Pierson of St. Michaels, MD and Katie Pierson of St. Michaels, MD; twelve step grandchildren, Cari Rosendale of Centreville, MD, Christopher J. Rosendale, III of Centreville, MD, Rebecca Kellum of Millington, MD, Sara Garza of New York, NY, Matthew Rosendale, Jr. of Casper, WY, Brien Rosendale of Bismarck, ND, Adam Rosendale of Bismarck, ND, Daniel C. Rosendale of Centreville, MD, Caroline Rosendale of Centreville, MD, Benjamin Rosendale of Centreville, MD, Megan Rosendale of Morgantown, WV, Jacob Rosendale of Stevensville, MD; and two step great grandchildren, Braden Kellum of Millington and Regan Kellum of Millington. Mr. Pierson was also loved by many as Tom, Tommy, T.P. and Pop-pop. His kind spirit, impeccable character, gracious nature and sincere love of family, friends, children and dancing were both undeniable and infinite. We are blessed to have known this truly great man. Friends and family may call from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm on Friday, April 3, 2009 at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 408 South Liberty Street, Centreville, MD. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 4 at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Centreville. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Easton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Hospice of Queen Anne’s, Inc., 255 Comet Drive, Centreville, MD 21617 or Chesterwye Center, Inc., P.O. Box 96, Grasonville, MD 21638. Online condolences may be sent to www.fhnfuneralhome.com

Thomas E. Pierson

March 15, 1925 - March 21, 2009