Obituary of Gerald J. Pearce

Gerald J. Pearce, D.C., 87, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2023 at Glens Falls Hospital in Glens Falls, NY. 

He was born on October 16, 1935 in Abington, PA and grew up in nearby Willow Grove. After graduating from Philadelphia’s Northeast Catholic High School in 1954, he joined the Air Force and served honorably until his discharge in 1962. He graduated from Palmer Chiropractic School in 1965 and moved to Exeter, NH, opening his own practice and caring for the community until his retirement in 1997. While living in Exeter, he raised four children with his first wife and helped raise a fifth child following his marriage to his second wife. After retirement, he spent time living in nearby Stratham, NH, eventually moving to Greenwich, NY so his family could assist with his care.  

Gerald, known as “Jerry,” “Joe,” or “Doc” depending upon how you knew him, was deeply involved in both the Exeter and Chiropractic communities. At various times, he served as a Rotarian, as President of Kiwanis, and as President of the NH Chiropractor’s Association. His work in the 1980’s, culminating in a lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., helped secure recognition of and insurance coverage for patients receiving chiropractic care. 

Joe was fun-loving, gentle, and kind. He was an avid golfer and served as President of Exeter Country Club for 6 years. For decades, he was the heart and soul of Tuesday Night Men’s League. He loved cooking, gardening, and traveling. Above all, he enjoyed spending as much time as possible with the people he enjoyed. It was nearly impossible to go anywhere with Joe without running into people he knew, and he was the life of every party he attended. His smile and his laughter, recognizable from across a crowded room, will be remembered by all who knew him. 

Joe was predeceased by his mother and father, Margaret and Irvin Pearce; sisters Margaret, Dorothy, Dolores, and Eleanor; brothers Irvin, William, Joseph, and George; and his first wife, Tomiko “Rita” (Okawa) Pearce. 

He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Soucy) Pearce of Greenwich, NY; son G. Joseph Pearce, Jr., D.C. of Exeter, NH; daughters Rita Pearce of Nashua, NH, Helen Pearce of Rollinsford, NH and Rosemarie (Pearce) Borson of Brea, CA; stepdaughter Stacy (Noel) Perkins of Greenwich, NY; grandchildren Tyler Pearce, Silas Pearce, Jacqueline Borson, Christopher Borson, and Zoe Perkins; several nieces and nephews; and dozens of friends. 

A memorial service with full military honors will be held at the Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY, 12871 on May 31, 2023 at 2:30 PM. 

There will also be a celebration of life at Exeter Country Club in Exeter, NH at a later date.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Hospital. 

Online condolences and messages to the family may be made at www.flynnbrosinc.com.