JAMES PIERCE, 1963-2024
James Pierce
[EAGAN, MN, February 8th, 2024] — With great sadness, USA Curling shares the news of the passing of Paralympic curler Jim Pierce.
Pierce took up the sport of wheelchair curling in 2003 at the Utica Curling Club under the guidance of the late Bill Rotton and in association with the Sitrin STARS (Success Through Adaptive Recreation and Sports) program. A seven-time member of Team USA, he competed in five World Wheelchair Curling World Championships, winning bronze in 2008.
Pierce was also a two-time Paralympian (’06, ’10). In 2016, he received a lifetime achievement award from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and USA Curling for his “…exceptional contribution, dedication and development to the Paralympic sport of curling”.
Always prepared to tell a joke, Jim was highly respected around the globe for his skill, humor and knowledge. Pierce retired from curling in 2011 and moved to Tucson, Arizona with his beloved wife, Tammy (Bortz) Pierce. Along with his wife, he is survived by stepson Troy (Colleen) Simiele, of Syracuse, New York, stepdaughter Ashley Simiele, of Tucson Arizona, and was the baby brother to two sisters, Deborah (Michael) Ortiz of Cary, North Carolina, and Ellie (John) Reece, of Mooresville, North Carolina. He was also the stepson of Pauline Pierce, of Leesburg, Florida, and was adored by many family members and lifelong friends.
About USA Curling
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, USA Curling is the National Governing body for the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling in the United States. The mission of USA Curling is to grow, strengthen, and advocate for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of curling in the United States by prioritizing accessibility and programmatic development from grassroots to podium. USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Toyota, Thorne, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of the World Curling Federation and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
