James Donald "Don" Pierrotti

James Donald Pierrotti, known as Don, passed away peacefully, Friday, February 21, 2025, at his home in Berwick, surrounded by his loving family. 

Don was born July 26, 1938, the son of James Dominic Pierrotti and Marie Fontenot Pierrotti. 

Don grew up in Ville Platte, LA and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. Don learned the value of hard work from a very young age, working at his parents’ grocery store and butcher shop, D. Pierrotti Grocery. Don spoke very fondly of his childhood at the store, Don’s favorite chores were more social, he would deliver groceries in his father’s pickup truck – in spite of not having a license; he would tell the story of local officials keeping a close eye on him but allowing the work related activity, for fear they may be excluded from the afterhours card games which his father Dominic (Son Pierrotti) would host in the store on the regular.

Don had a long career working until he was 72 years old, three years short of his goal of retiring at 75. He had a long work history including short stints as a barber and grocery store regional manager but was restless and the booming dollars of Oil and Gas pulled him in as a heavy equipment operator. Don often spoke of his long hitches in places like Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Mexico, Columbia - never complaining about a job, the hours or the work. Don retired from Gulf Island Marine after 25 years as “Batman” the crane operator, which involves a funny story about a bat and a crane cab. While he loved spending time with and providing for his family, his restless nature would prompt a reoccurring reminder over the past fifteen years, “I really miss working.” 

Don was married to his wife Vickie Lynn Rulf of Berwick for 58 years. He will be remembered for his religious commitment to work, showing off his moves on the dance floor, rocking in his chair like he is in the Derby, and a wry smile and sideways glance after opening his second beer. All of this and the sweet man we had in him will be greatly missed.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Vickie Rulf Pierrotti of Berwick; one son, James Keith Pierrotti and wife Dylan of East Baldwin, Maine; two daughters, Mendy Pierrotti Matte and husband Gerard ”Keith” Matte, and Donna Pierrotti Hebert and husband Harris “Jim” Hebert; 13 grandchildren, April Matte Fontenot, Olivia Matte Darbonne, Mary Kristen Matte, Adriana Matte, Tyler Hebert, Reid Hebert, Grant Hebert, Trenton Hebert, Valerie Hebert Strother, Jordan Pierrotti Rossman, Hannah Pierrotti, Emma Pierrotti, Dominic Pierrotti, and Alexandra Pierrotti; 11 great-grandchildren. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents, James Dominic Pierrotti and Marie Fontenot Pierrotti. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Twin City Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Don will be cremated and placed in the Berwick Cemetery at a later date.