Adrian Mount Pearsall, renowned furniture designer, yachtsman, and philanthropist passed away on Tuesday, September 6 in his home in Washington Crossing, PA. His loving wife of 61 years, Dorie Kanarr Pearsall and daughter Dr. Cindy Pearsall Sussman, were at his bedside as he departed peacefully in his sleep.

Born September 18, 1925, in Trumansburg NY, Adrian was the son of Adrian and Emma Pearsall and brother of Richard Lewis Pearsall of Dallas, PA and the late Katherine Pearsall Berg of Newark, DE, and brother Ralph Pearsall who died in early childhood. He met his wife Dorie in 1942 while aboard a train from Ithaca NY to Wilkes-Barre PA, en route to serve in the US Navy at the age of 17, promising Dorie he would return to see her following the war. The promise was kept, and they were married October, 1950, living in Forty Fort, PA, where the Pearsall family still maintains a home.

Following the war, Adrian graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in architectural engineering, class of 1950.  He left the architectural field after two years to found Craft Associates, becoming one of the country's most prominent furniture designers during the mid-century “Atomic Age.” With the help of his wife Dorie he began building furniture in the basement of their Kingston, PA home, and selling pieces from the back of their truck to Macy’s, Wanamaker’s, and other prominent New York and Philadelphia department stores. Joined by his brother Richard, Craft Associates went on to become one of Wilkes Barre’s top employers in the 1950's and 1960's. Known for his daring designs which brought high style to the masses, he is credited with the creation of long and low gondola sofas, free-form walnut and glass tables, and the popularization of the venerable bean bag chair. As an industry testament to his achievements, Adrian was nominated for inclusion into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 2008.

After launching a new company, Comfort Designs, in the 1970’s with business partner John Graham, Adrian eventually left the furniture business, but never really retired.  His passion for preservation and meticulous craftsmanship led him to the hobby of sailing and classic yacht restoration.  Spending many summers in his historically rebuilt cottage, “Uneeda Rest” in Groton Long Point CT, he enjoyed sailing and maintaining the many treasured vessels he rescued and personally restored over the years, including the now famous 1905, 44ft Herreshoff NY-30, AMORITA; the 50', 1913 P-Class Sloop CHIPS; and the 1924 Herreshoff Watch Hill 15, EMMA.  Most notably, he was solely responsible for the rescue and re-build of the long time Fastnet Race record holder, the 72', 1926 William Fife designed HALLOWE'EN, which was completely restored over a four year period in a shed behind the Museum of Yachting, in Newport, RI.

Among all those that knew Adrian, he was forever humble about his accomplishments and endlessly generous with his successes. A philanthropist for causes large and small, he was private about his contributions, but most notably personally designed, and with his brother Richard, funded a new home for the Ulysses Historical Society, based in Trumansburg, NY in the spring of 1998. He was an inspiration for hard work and generosity, always ready to lend a hand to those with a need and those with a dream.

To many he was both a hero and a role model, but to his family, he was first and foremost a loving and caring husband and father. In addition to his wife Dorie and brother Richard, he is survived by his children, Adrian James Pearsall and wife Shauna, Dr. Cindy Pearsall Sussman and her husband Steve, and Jed Pearsall and his partner Bill Doyle, and his five grandchildren; Ross, Stuart, and Hilary Pearsall,  and Laura & Brian Sussman.

Viewing services will be held at Snowdon Funeral Home, Shavertown PA on Saturday September 10th, 4-7pm followed, by a funeral on Sunday, 2PM at Church of Christ Uniting, Kingston PA. 

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the heavy rains in the Lehigh Valley, and fear of flooding of the Susquehanna River, the area in which the services were to be held is under evacuation notice. Adrian Pearsall's services originally scheduled for this weekend have been postponed one week, until Sept. 17-18. Somewhat fitting for a man who hated the spotlight, and loved practical jokes.

Memorial gifts in honor of Adrian will be gratefully accepted by the Lewy Body Dementia Association and the SPCA of Luzerne County.