The Rev. David Pearson ... 53 years in ministry

ROCHESTER - The Rev. David E. Pearson, 79, of 4 Meadow Lane died Monday, May 25, 2015, at his home after a long battle with cancer.

Born March 9, 1936, in New Haven, Vt., he was the son of Edward and Lillian (Meecham) Pearson. David grew up on a dairy farm in New Haven, Vt. It was during his formative years on the farm that he developed a sense of calling. David's work with the church youth group, combined with the influence of important mentors and teachers, led him to pursue a degree at Castleton College. While at Castleton, he and a friend opened up a little stone church in nearby Florence that had been abandoned and where they served as co-pastors for three years. He also served as lay pastor of the Belmont Community Church in Belmont, Vt. Thus began fifty-seven years of continuous service in the ministry. During his Sophomore year, he met incoming Freshman Gail Wilson and the two were married in 1957. While at Andover Newton, he also served as Assistant for Christian Education in Topsham, Mass. Following seminary, he was called by the East Corinth Congregational Church as its full time pastor. He also became pastor of the Presbyterian Church in nearby East Topsham. From there, he was called to the Northfield, Vt. United Church, where he served for eight years. Following this, David took over the running of the family farm and served the local church in New Haven, Vt. in the tradition of the Worker Priest. His father died one year later and David moved to Rochester, N.H. to become the pastor of First Church Congregational. He served this church for 26 years. Upon retiring he began a series of interim ministries in Saco, Maine, Franklin, Kensington and Webster, N.H. These churches kept him busy and involved until recently when he planned to winter in Florida.

David enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening and puttering around the yard, reading, (particularly history) watching the fishing boats coming and going from the Cape Porpoise docks and traveling. He loved the little pond he and Mother-in-Law Dorothy designed with its little waterfall, fountain and elusive gold fish. David was very active in the community, having served as trustee for the Rochester Public Library and Frisbee Memorial Hospital. He was active in the Seafarers Friends Society for many years in addition to being instrumental in establishing the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He also attended the 1992 Earth Summit in Brazil as an observer.

Members of his family include his wife of 57 years, Gail (Wilson) Pearson of Rochester, his sons; Jeffrey D. Pearson and his wife Arlene of Middle Island, N.Y., Michael E. Pearson and his wife Laurie of Cape Neddick, Maine and Craig S. Pearson and his wife Karen of Milton, N.H., 6 grandchildren, Zachery and wife Kelly, Sierra, Sawyer, Jessica, Caleb and Matthew, and a sister, Carol Lewis and her husband Don of Shelburne, Vt.