From: Joe Watts
Subject: Dave Pierson Memorial Services
Dear Corporation Members,
Many of you have heard that long-time Shoaler Dave Pierson passed away on August 9. Since many of you knew Dave (a.k.a. DDP), we felt it was important to get the word out to you about two upcoming memorial services, one on Star Island on Sunday, September 2, and one at South Church (Portsmouth) on Monday, September 3.
You are invited to both services, and you are encouraged to forward this email to any non-Corporation members you feel would want to see it.
Descriptions of the services are below. Here’s information on how you would sign up to attend the Star Island Service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 2:
Boat to the Island: The Thomas Laighton leaves the dock in Portsmouth at 9:25 a.m. The Steamship Company has generously offered to permit all people coming out to the island for Dave’s memorial service to travel for FREE on this run. Please thank Jeremy Bell, Jerod Blanchette, and their crew for this generous contribution. To sign up for this boat run, you must call (603-601-0832) or email (frontdesk@starisland.org) the front desk no later than 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, 9/1. Your email should
say “please put me on the boat list for the 9:25 a.m. TL run on 9/2” and include the full names of everyone in your party.
Parking: The Steamship Company has also generously offered to waive all parking fees for people coming out for the service (subject to availability). Overflow parking, if necessary, will be available in the Hanover Street Parking Garage (a couple blocks from the dock) for standard City of Portsmouth parking rates.
Lunch: If you want to order lunch on the island ($15/adults and teens, less for younger kids), you may also do this through the front desk – please do so no later than 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, 9/1.
Service: The service will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, 9/2. See below for more details.
Boat from the Island: The Heritage (49 passenger limit) has been chartered to bring people back to Portsmouth. The boat leaves Star promptly at 5:30 p.m. and will arrive at approximately 6:30 p.m. at their dock, about one block away from the Steamship Company dock. To cover our charter costs, the following ticket prices have been established: $40/adult or teen; $25/child age 6-12; Free for children under 6. Payments for this trip must be made on board the Heritage; cash and credit cards are accepted.
Descriptions of the services:
On Star Island…
A celebration and service of love and remembrance to honor Dave Pierson’s contributions to Star Island and especially to the Pelican community is planned for Sunday, September 2 at 2:00 PM on Star Island in the Chapel, during the Pelican Reunion conference. Members of the Pierson family expect to be present. A ceremony to place memorial stones in the Star Island Memorial Courtyard in memory of Dave and also of Andy Gordon — who served as a mentor to Pelicans for so many years — will immediately follow the service. A brief social time will follow these ceremonies. All are invited to attend.
At South Church…
On Monday, September 3, a service is being held at South Church in Portsmouth (292 State Street) at 4:00 PM to celebrate Dave’s whole life. The service was kindly timed to allow those of us attending the Pelican Reunion Conference to attend the service. Feel free to email Rev. Chris Holton Jablonski, one of the two ministers of South Church, at holtonjablonski@gmail.com or call him at 603-842-9111 if you have any questions.
Thank you all.
Joe
Joe Watts
General Island Manager
Star Island Corporation
Morton-Benedict House
30 Middle Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: (603) 430-6272
Fax: (603) 430-6270
www.starisland.org