Dr. George David Pirie DDS

George David Pirie DDS, Captain, Dental Corps, US Navy Retired, passed away on September 1, 2022 in Athens, GA. Dr. Pirie was born October 2, 1931 on Long Island, NY, the son of George and Jeanie Pirie. He graduated from Oyster Bay High School in 1949. He was a talented athlete in HS lettering in Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Track. In 2007 he was inducted into the Oyster Bay Athletic Hall of Fame. He received his undergraduate degree from Colby College, while also playing football and baseball. He pursued his dental degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA graduating from the School of Dentistry in 1958.

He married Colette Hotine on September 3, 1956 and they were blessed with six children during their 60 years of marriage.

Dr. Pirie joined the Naval Reserves while in college and rose to the rank of Captain. He served in a variety of assignments from coast to coast (including the Territory of HI) over a distinguished 30 -year career (includes six years in the reserves prior to active duty service). He received the Meritorious Service Medal in 1980.

Dr. Pirie retired from the Navy in 1980, where he served as the Dental Officer, Naval Supply Corps School, Athens, GA. Upon his retirement, he was asked by University of GA to design, supply and run a new Dental Clinic at their progressive Health Service and worked there until 1992.

Dr. Pirie stayed active playing tennis and golf. He was an All Service Champion tennis player while in the Navy and played in many local (Athens) tennis events including the Crackerland Tournament. He was a natural at golf starting with a single digit handicap (HC) and playing into his 80s with a low HC, many of those rounds at Athens Country Club. He shot his age multiple times and had two hole-in-ones.

In retirement George and Colette split their time between Athens and Hawaii (The Big Island) eventually moving to the HI full time. They enjoyed many adventures traveling the globe through home exchanges - Colette looking for a pool to swim at and tracking down family history and George playing golf all over the world including the Old Course at St. Andrews.

Dr. Pirie was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Betty (Marv) Buehler and Peggy (Ralph) Green and the sunshine of his life wife, Colette.

Dr. Pirie is survived by his six children; George, Jr. (Sharon) Eatonton, GA; Wendy Humphries (Harvey) Athens GA; Gordon (Tammye) Farragut, TN; Suzanne Palmquist (Robert) Gulf Breeze, FL; Harry (Beth) Charlotte, NC; and Jeanie Richardson (Robert) Roland, AR. Fourteen grandchildren; George III, Alex, Billy (Kelley) & Pirie Humphries, Keiran, Rory, Cullen, Chris & Colette Palmquist, David (Kelsey) and Kathryn (Drew) Taylor, Ann (Alex) Vestal, Bobby & Abby Richardson. Two great granddaughters; Lillian Taylor & Evelyn Vestal.

Family is having a visitation to receive friends on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Bernstein Funeral Home in Athens, GA.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.