John Barry Pierce

A graduate of Mary Immaculate High School in 1968, Barry went on to attend SouthEastern College in Lakeland, FL. After returning to Key West, he became Insurance Comptroller for Key West Hand Print Fabrics, where he worked for many years. Subsequent to that, along with his mother, Ruth Page Farmer and his uncle, he purchased and managed Page’s Paint Store in Key West. Page’s Paint was the largest independent Benjamin Moore dealer in the United States. Barry was an expert color matching consultant as many painters in Key West can attest to. In 1991, he moved with his partner, Anton to Cape Coral where they opened Barry Anton’s Hair Salon, which they owned and managed for 21 years. In 1995, Barry and Anton started a foundation called, “We Care For Hair”. They provided hair systems for ladies who were enduring battles with cancer and going through chemotherapy. For 18 years, Barry and Anton provided an untold number of hair systems free of charge to countless grateful women.

On April 5, 2012, Barry and Anton were finally able to make their union official and were legally married at St. Barts’ Cathedral in New York City. It was especially meaningful for them to get married there as they Christmased in NYC every year for 27 years. They met and developed many close friendships there that lasted through many years. After 21 years, Barry and Anton sold the hair salon to begin their retirement life. They became very active and involved at Thomas Edison Congregational Church in Fort Myers, where Barry was the pianist and his musical legacy will live on. Anton is the Associate Pastor. Barry and Anton spent many of their years together, both before and after retirement, traveling. They became Platinum member cruisers on Cunard Cruise Lines having traveled multiple times on all three Queens (Queen Mary II, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria) sailing all over The Americas and Europe.

Barry is survived by his beloved husband of 36 years, Anton Pierce, his sister and brother-in-law, Lori and Lew Salter, and his sister-in law, Jeannie Alvarez Pierce. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, including Terri Pierce Boukater (George), Troy Coburn Pierce, Lauren Salter (Ray Torres), Bobby Salter (Christy), and his great nephews and nieces, Colby Lee Cherry, Katie Jean Pierce, Bobby Salter, Britney Salter, Bryce Salter and his newest great nephew, 7 month old, Lewis “Lewie” Salter.

Barry was preceded in death by his loving and beloved mother, Ruth Amelia Page Farmer, and his father, George Coburn Farmer. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Richard A. “Rick” Pierce.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 13th at 11am at Thomas Edison Congregational Church in Fort Myers.

Barry will always be remembered for his very generous giving heart, his ability to light up every room he was in, his phenomenal sense of humor, his natural artistic ability and for his amazing musical talents. The Heavenly orchestra gained an amazing pianist, while we are left in a world that is not quite as bright without him in it.