Ed.D John Lester Tierney, Jr.

On January 14, 2015, we lost our beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend, John Lester Tierney, Jr, Ed. D., John, also known by his friends as Jack, was born on February 25, 1945, the eldest son of John L. Tierney, Sr. (deceased) and Catherine B. Tierney of Pawtucket, RI, and the brother of Paul (Dee), Dennis (deceased), Timothy (Eileen), Richard (Jane), Terry (Jane), and Maureen (deceased). His nieces include Molly and Kate Tierney from Rhode Island, Emily Oppelt (Stephen) and Elizabeth Dickerson (Eli) from Georgia, Katie Flickinger (Christian) and Ashley Rebain from Michigan; his nephews are Scott (Mary), Paul Jr. (Beth), Patrick (Danielle), Timothy and Brennan Tierney from Rhode Island, Joshua Severtson (Tarah) from Oklahoma, Timothy Severtson (Angela) from California, Patrick Soltysiak (deceased) and Erik Rebain from Michigan. Grandnieces are Casey and Olivia Wilson of Georgia; grandnephews include Ryan, Colin, Aidan, Owen, Keegan Tierney of Rhode Island and Noah, Benjamin, Jacob, and Samuel Severtson of Oklahoma. Outlaws include Marianne and Jim Severtson of California, Susan and Ed Soltysiak and Kathleen and Mark Rebain of Michigan. Numerous cousins and other relatives played an important role in his life and his friends are legion. Married to Patricia Wisocki Tierney, Ph.D., for 42 years, he traveled with her to every state in the Union, Europe, South America and North Africa. They were especially fond of Hawaii and Alaska. John was an avid reader, an expert in Trivial Pursuit games and crossword puzzles. He enjoyed walks on the beach with his dogs, driving the open road in his camper, and any social gathering he had occasion to visit. He was a witty, charming, and thoughtful companion. John was educated at St. Theresa’s School and Tolman High School in Pawtucket. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, reaching the rank of E4. With the Air Force, he was sent for training at Cape Cod, Biloxi, MS, and New Jersey. He served in Thailand and France during the Viet Nam war. After his time with the Air Force, he attended Rhode Island Junior College in Providence, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Education, his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Early Childhood/Special Education. His doctoral dissertation was titled “Puppetry in Education,” based on his special interest in puppetry as a tool for engaging and teaching children, particularly in the areas of nature and the environment. It was in the School of Education at UMass that John developed his puppet show, Burt the Raccoon, which put into practice his ideas about bringing nature to life for young children, using American Sign Language, interactive exercises, and creative lessons. And no one can forget an occasional additional feature of the puppet show, the “Amazing Tree Impersonations” in which he would portray various trees and ask the audience to identify them. He is known throughout Rhode Island for his work and has performed the puppet show in many locations along the Eastern Seaboard, California, Michigan, Hawaii, as well as various places in Europe and South America. Burt has even appeared in Egypt at the pyramids. John also applied his energy and creative skills to his work with children with autism and intellectual disabilities at the Groden Center, the Cove Center in Providence, RI, and as an outreach teacher at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst, MA. He was an extraordinary teacher, beloved by his students, keeping in touch with many of them even after years of retirement from the Centers. In various malls at Christmas time, John often brought his talents to children as the “Signing Santa,” using sign language to interact with children with hearing impairments. John had a loving and playful spirit that was easily seen by everyone he met. While entertaining children or making adults feel like kids again, his sense of humor was intoxicating and laughter followed him everywhere. He embodied tenderness, caring for animals and people alike. John was always ready to draw a hardy laugh from any audience. He reminds us to be the best we can be and he will be missed by all who loved him. Services will be from the Avery-Storti Funeral Home in Wakefield on Monday, January 19, 2015. Viewing hours will be from 4:00 to 8:00. On Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Theresa’s Church in Pawtucket, RI, officiated by the Most Reverend Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit, MI. Interment will be at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, RI. If one wishes, donations in his memory may be made to the Groden Center, 610 Manton Ave., Providence, RI 02904.