Charles P. Tierney

Charles P. Tierney Of Squirrel Hill, age 69, died of liver cancer on Wed, October 11. Chuck is survived by his sister Mary Dixon, nephews Michael (Amanda) Dixon, Ken Dixon (Judi) & great nieces and nephews, Tiffany, Carolyn, Alesha, Shane & Lyndon, Jr., and his life partner Charles (Chuck) W. Honse.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Olga and Paul Tierney and brother in law Ken Dixon.

Chuck was a 1966 graduate of Munhall High School. In 1977, Chuck purchased the legendary Holiday Bar on Forbes Avenue in Oakland, along with Chuck Honse. For 40 years, the bar played host to the city’s LGBT community and kept the secrets of closeted patrons who dared not let employers, neighbors, even spouses, know their sexual orientation. Over the years, Chuck & Chuck opened or bought a succession of businesses in Pittsburgh including the Fourth Avenue Stock Exchange, New York New York (now 5801), and Images.

A founding member of the Pittsburgh Tavern Guild and the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh, Chuck was generous, kind, and known as the being the “idea man” for LGBT fundraising.  In 1974, he brought the city’s gay bar owners together and formed the Golden Triangle Picnic Association, which planned outings for the community including boat rides on the Gateway Clipper, and picnics in North Park, which continue today. In 1989, he was instrumental on bringing 2,700 panels from the Names Project to Pittsburgh for display at the Convention Center. He also spearheaded the annual City Theater AIDS benefit to benefit the Shepherd Wellness Community, which will celebrate its 25^th anniversary this year. In 2010, Chuck was honored as a Grand Marshal at the Pride Equality March along with his partner.
Chuck will be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Donations in his name can be made to the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh, 911 Galveston Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 or pittsburghpride.org/donate

Please view and sign the family’s online guestbook at www.cremationfuneralcare.com.