Henry Oakley Pierce, 78, of New Bedford died Saturday May 17, 2014 at Hallmark Nursing Home.

Born and raised in New Bedford, the son of the late Samoset A. and Sarah L. (Ross) Pierce, he lived in Connecticut for many years before returning to New Bedford.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

He is survived by his children, Suzanne Pierce Lastic and Willis Pierce, both of New Bedford and Sarah Avery of Birmingham, Alabama; his siblings, Wallace Pierce of Connecticut and Marilyn Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Private funeral arrangements were by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.