Wilfred C. Pearce

WILFRED CORNELIUS PEARCE was born on April 12, 1932 in Priestman’s River, Portland, Jamaica to parents William and Gertrude (nee Spence). He was the 4th of 11 children. His siblings, by order of age, are Lurline (Toronto), Daniel (Toronto), Lavena (deceased), Irene (deceased), Owen (Norfolk, Virginia), Gilbert (deceased), Eugene (Mount Vernon, New York), Eloise (Albuquerque, New Mexico), Brenda (Mount Vernon, New York), and Eton (Priestman’s River, Portland).

He graduated from the Happy Grove High School in Portland and later attended the University of the West Indies, Mona where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree. Thereafter he entered the Jamaican Civil Service where he worked in various capacities and in different departments. His final assignment was in the Ministry of Finance from where he retired in 1991.

Wilfred married Virginia Hines in June 1962 and this union produced six children. Alita, Adrian, Lorna and Howard who live in Kingston, Jamaica; Mark (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and Arlene (Oslo, Norway). Virginia predeceased him 1985.

Wilfred married Cynthia Sterling, April 1991 and migrated to the Cayman Islands where he lived for the next eight years. Cynthia also predeceased Wilfred in September 1995. He married Marie Harris in May 22, 1999 and migrated to Detroit, Michigan. It was there that he fell asleep in death on the morning of December 7, 2013.

By far, the most important decision he made in his life was evident in 1952 when he was baptised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This decision not only affected his outlook but also his priorities in life. In the more than five decades since then he spent countless hours in the work that Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for worldwide: preaching and teaching others about God’s Kingdom. This resulted in him personally helping many to become doers of Jehovah’s will themselves.

Wilfred also enjoyed many theocratic privileges. Among them was that of serving as a Christian Overseer in the several congregations that he associated with. Whether it was the West Unit (as it was then known), Winward, Harbour View, (all in Kingston, Jamaica) Georgetown (Cayman) or Schaefer (Detroit) congregations this privilege also carried with it the responsibility of caring for the congregation’s spiritual needs. In addition he also served as a Regular Pioneer from 1995 and until his death and enjoyed spending at least 70 hours each month in the Kingdom preaching work.

Wilfred will be missed not only by his wife Marie, his children, grandchildren and siblings but also by his many nephews, nieces, cousins and dear friends.