Alvin Richmond Piper

Alvin Richmond Piper, Sr., 92, passed away peacefully at his home in Shapleigh, Maine on Sunday, August 13, 2017.Alvin was born on February 16, 1925 to Ralph Waldo Piper, Sr. and Marian Forbes Piper of Acton, Massachusetts. After attending local schools, Alvin joined the United States Navy and served on the battleship USS South Dakota in the South Pacific until the end of World War II.Alvin was a proud 33rd degree Mason and active member of many chapters both in Massachusetts and Maine for over 60 years. During that time, he received a 50 Year Veteran's Medal and his Senior 50 Year Past Master's Certificate. His dedication to Masonry and his fellow brothers was exceptional.Alvin worked for United Stationers on Woburn, Massachusetts as an account executive until retirement. He served the town of Acton, Massachusetts as Water Commissioner for many years and was on the Board of Trustees for the Middlesex Savings Bank. He was also and active member of the New England Travelers Club. In 1986, he relocated to Maine where he and Jackie built a house in Shapleigh.After retirement, Alvin continued his passion of working with people with the Acton Fair Association of Acton, Maine and the Square Pond Treasure Island Association as a ferry driver for many years. He volunteered as a DAV driver to help bring veterans in need of care to the Togus VA Medical Center and also served as a Deacon at the Shapleigh Baptist Church for a short time.Alvin is predeceased by his wife, Caroline Gates Piper, His brother, Ralph Waldo Piper, Jr. and his sister-in-law, Rose Marie Piper of Sonoma, California.Surviving are his three children, Alvin R. Piper, Jr. of Merrimack, Hew Hampshire, Dorinda S. Piper of Boxboro, Massachusetts and Damon Piper of Littleton, Massachusetts; three grandchildren, Heath, Dillon and Ethan Piper and three great-grandchildren.He is also survived by his partner and caregiver of 35 years, Jacqueline Bergeron; her children Catherine and Jeffrey and grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Sarah, Andrew, Lacey and Laura.The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of their friends and especially the staff from the VA and Hospice for the many hours of dedication, help and support given to the care of Alvin.A Memorial Service with military honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 19th at the Shapleigh Baptist Church located at 600 Shapleigh Corner Road in Shapleigh.The family requests that no flowers be sent. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider sending a memorial contribution to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or online at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/donate Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.