John Pier, Jr.

John Pier, Jr., D.D.S., died at home on April 9, 2016, after a long illness. He was 89.
Born to John and Lillian Pier in Prospect Park, he was raised in Hawthorne and lived in West Milford before moving to Vernon in 1977.
John served with the United States Navy during World War II. After his service, he received his bachelor of science from Panzer College in East Orange, followed by Lafayette College and University of Pennsylvania Dental School where he received his D.D.S. in 1959.
After dental school, he opened his private practice in West Milford and later a second practice in Vernon. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of General Dentistry, and retired in 2000.
John was a member of the West Milford Rotary and the Vernon United Methodist Church. He was a member of the first Board of Directors of Lakeland Bank. In addition, John served on the Board of Trustees for Chilton Memorial Hospital, was a founding member of the New Jersey Ski Racing Association, a founding director of Hidden Valley Ski Resort and founder of the West Milford High School Career Day, which recently celebrated its 50th year. John loved skiing, camping and canoeing and was a doting and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
John is predeceased by a son, Jeff Pier, and a brother, Harry Pier.
He was the cherished husband of his wife of 63 years, Jane Pier (nee Connamacher); he was the devoted father and father-in-law of Greg and Diane Pier of Vernon, David and Karen Pier of Rockland, Maine, and John Pier and Stephanie Paine of Freeport, Maine; cherished by 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In addition, John is survived by his dear sister-in-law Barbara Pier of North Reddington Beach, Florida and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will receive their friends at Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, 241 Route 94 (1 Vanderhoof Court for GPS), Vernon, on Thursday, April 14, from 4 to 8 p.m. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, April 15, at 3 p.m. at the Vernon United Methodist Church, 303 Route 94, Vernon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge, Lois McClure-Bee Tabakin Building, 237 East Ave., Burlington, VT 05401-3412 or the New Jersey Ski Racing Association, Jeff Pier Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 265, McAfee, NJ 07428.
Information and condolences can be found at www.fergusonvernonfuneralhome.com.