Pierce Giffey

Pierce Thomas Giffey,81, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 12, 2017, at Touchmark Assisted Living in Appleton. He was born March 1, 1936, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, WI, to Monica (Sullivan) and Neil Giffey, Sr. He attended rural schools in Eldorado before graduating from Fond du Lac High School in 1954.

He served in the Army from 1956 to 1958, and graduated from the Oshkosh Rural Teachers Program in 1960. He married Rosemarie Howard on August 13, 1960, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Oshkosh. She preceded him in death on April 29, 2010.

He taught math for a short time at Kimberly Junior High and received a master's degree in guidance from UW-Oshkosh in 1971. During the same year, he signed on as the guidance counselor at Seymour High School, where he remained for 24 years. He received a certificate for administration at UW Oshkosh but did not become administrator. Retiring from Seymour in 1996 he worked the next full year in guidance at the Green Bay Alternative High School. In 1997 Pierce divided his time between the Alternative School and St. Bernadette's Elementary School in Appleton. He concluded his active years as a counselor and teacher by serving as a half-time counselor at the Alternative School, retiring in 2001. He always loved the hands-on challenge of helping troubled teens, this a powerful service to humanity. Pierce is diligent, driven, (Type A) with a good sense of humor. Retiring in 2001 Pierce enjoys camping, friends, family, building things, especially remodeling, wood carving, and restoring old cars, this with professional help, he states that he has "always loved the past, lives in it." In retirement, Pierce continued to grow a large garden, mow and manicure a huge lawn, and looks for the elusive activity which will bring him the satisfaction which he so desires and deserves.
Pierce is survived by his son, Timothy, Appleton; daughter, Michelle, Appleton; brother, David (Nancy) Giffey, Arena, WI; brother-in-law, Wayne (Barb) Howard, Hortonville; sisters-in-law, Janet Giffey, Dodgeville; Karen Howard, Kimberly; nieces and nephews: Anne Giffey (Rob Budach), Tom (Tiffany) Giffey, Chris (Ginger) Howard, Carla Beeson, Chad Howard, Michael (Nancy) Goodfriend, and David (Susan) Goodfriend; and numerous great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Rosemarie; his parents; a brother, Neil Jr. (1926-2015) and a sister, Prudence (1928-2013).
Friends may call at Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour on Thursday, March 16 2017, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A private committal will take place at St. Edwards Cemetery in Mackville.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.muehlboettcher.com
Special thanks to the staff at Touchmark Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice for the loving care given to Pierce.