Wyman Joseph Pearce

W. Joseph Pearce 87, of Wakefield, RI, peacefully passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024. He was the loving husband of the late Hildur (Ludvigsen) Pearce for 61 years.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late E. Joseph Pearce and Lena (German) Pearce. He was the brother of the late Janet A. Simmons, Michael F. Pearce and Patricia C. Keating. He was the loving father of his three daughters Karen A. Follett (Howard) of Wakefield, Laura J. LeClair (Brian) of Wakefield and Kirsten A. Pearson (Craig) of North Carolina. Joe has seven grandchildren and a great- grandson.

Joe grew up in Providence attending Classical High School, graduating with honors. After graduation he attended the University of Rhode Island and joined the US Army. He was linguistic Specialist stationed in Germany. After serving for 3 years, he returned home to Rhode Island to finish his education at URI, earning a Master degree in Accounting and Science. He worked at Price Waterhouse and was awarded his CPA certificate in March of 1969.

In 1969, he was hired as the Controller at URI until 1975. His duties were handling all cash receipts and disbursements. During this time, he also was serving as a lecturer in the accounting division and a member of the University’s Budget Task Force Committee. Joe went on to open his own CPA practice in Narragansett, and and was a professor at CCRI in Accounting. He retired from teaching in 1992.

Joe and Hildur moved from South Kingstown to Briggs Farm in Narragansett when Karen and Laura were young. He was kind and

compassionate towards everyone he knew and met. He became well known in the “plat” and South County community as a friendly

neighbor and diligent accountant. His love and devotion for his wife and three daughters was paramount. In his leisure, he would

spend his hours with the love of his life, Hildur and the girls . He would take the family “down pond” on weekends where they would spend the day digging clams and blue crabbing. He enjoyed gardening and socializing with his neighbors. After retiring from his practice, he and Hildur returned to live in Wakefield where they continued to enjoy gardening, boating and

spend time with their daughters and grandchildren. In the Winter months, they would go to Sanibel Isand, where they would walk

the beach collecting shells, enjoying the sunny warm days and socializing with Sanibel friends .

Funeral Services and Burial will be private. In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the RI Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Ave., Providence, RI 02907.