Fred Merton Pierce, Jr., M.D.

WINTER HAVEN, FL – Fred Merton Pierce, Jr. passed away peacefully at Brookdale Senior Living on February 7th, 2025 at the age of 95.

Fred was born on April 23rd, 1929 in Worcester, MA as the fifth and youngest child of Fred Pierce, Sr. and Charlotte (Louise) Turner Pierce. 

Fred was always curious, exploring and studying the world around him. He lived a very full life as a husband and step-father, physician, lover of nature, musician, active church member, traveler, genealogy researcher, gardener and more. 

As “Dr. Pierce,” Fred was a caring, well respected family physician who, after serving as Army doctor, practiced for many years in Northborough, MA before moving in 1976 to serve as the island doctor in North Haven, Maine, where he practiced for 19 years. During his career, he cared for young and old, even making house calls as needed and delivering hundreds of babies.

In 1971, Fred married Cornelia (Connie) Wallen Bowen (deceased in 2017). Fred, Connie and daughter Karen, moved to North Haven, ME in 1976 where Fred had a family medical practice with Connie as his registered nurse, and they became very active in the island community. Fred retired in 1995, moving to Antrim, NH; then in October 2001, Fred and Connie moved south to Winter Haven, Florida.

Fred enjoyed spending time with the families of Connie’s five children: Marjorie and Glen Hodge of Hancock, NH; Doug and Barbara Bowen of Hancock, NH; Debra and Charles Riddle of Warrenton, NC; Darleen and Randy Rogge of Lincoln, NE; and Karen Bowen of Millbury, MA.  The family remembers many great times shared on North Haven Island and at his brookside cabin in Jamaica, VT.

Grandpa Pierce will be missed by seven grandchildren: Adam Hodge; Christopher, Martin, and Iver Bowen; Rebecca Rogge Lindsay, Daniel Rogge and Sarah Bowen, and many great and great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by Joi Hodge Fowler, Julia Riddle and Nathan Riddle; as well as his siblings: John Phillip Pierce, Charles Pierce, Barbara Morse, and George Pierce. He was a favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews. His niece, Linda Coram of Winter Haven was particularly helpful in his later years and many others enjoyed visits and adventures with “Uncle Merton.”

Fred Pierce will be greatly missed and always remembered for his kind and thoughtful ways.

Any who wish are invited to make memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association, a cause close to his heart. A family memorial will be held at a later date in Jamaica, VT.