I read Paul Hunt’s letter (Your View, June 29) with perhaps more interest than most.
Greg Pierce was my cousin.
The family was originally quite close but as the children, me and my sister and Greg and his brother, moved into teenage years the connection began to weaken.
The sporting gene came not from our mutual grandfather but from Greg’s maternal grandfather, Arthur Folwell.
However, Greg’s connection with the shire came from our grandmother, who lived in Cawarra Road, Caringbah, close to the railway.
Greg allegedly lived with his grandmother in her one bedroom unit for many years.
In his letter, Paul Hunt well sketches Greg’s RL career. However, there was also another side.
In Greg’s day, professional footballers still needed a carer outside football. Greg obtained a cadetship with the Waterboard, now Sydney Water, and graduated in Civil Engineering from UNSW, a career he practised until his retirement as ‘‘administrator’’ of Lord Howe Island.
We were aware of Greg’s condition — it began with something as mundane as a toothache. Yet, it seemed that he had it beaten.
Obviously not. He bore it with what can only be described as stoic fortitude.
In recent years, we had been in contact as I forwarded details of our Pierce heritage.
I had been intending to contact him again soon with some more information about our common grandparents. However, fate has intervened.
G Duncan, Engadine
First Shark to represent and captain Australia. Played in the 1973 GF against Manly, but missed the 1978 draw and replay against Manly. Captained the Sharks to their only ever title, the Amco Cup in 1979.
Played 210 games for the Sharks.
RIP Greg Pierce.
Troy Frame, Facebook
