"I decided to snap her up quick smart before anyone else did," Mr Piercy, now 96, said.
"And it was a good move."
Yesterday, with torrential rain pelting down outside their Tauranga home, the still smitten couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
"It was a dead straight, accurate shot from Cupid," Mr Piercy told the Bay of Plenty Times yesterday as he cuddled up to his 90-year-old wife.
"He's not as good looking as he was back then," laughed Mrs Piercy. "But he is just as lovely, in fact I think more so."
The pair moved to New Zealand in 1956 with their only son, Marshall.
Sylvia was born in New Zealand but her parents moved home to England. Tom's grandfather had spent some time in New Zealand too.
"He described it as God's own country," said Mr Piercy.
"So we always thought we would come and live here and try to buy a home."
The couple say they have weathered their "fair share of storms" but their mutual love and respect for each other has made their marriage go the distance.
"When we were with the RAF I was a Sergeant and she was a Corporal," said Mr Piercy.
"So I was the boss for a while, which was interesting."
He may have been the boss but at home Mrs Piercy made the boundaries, banning her husband from the kitchen except for when it was time to peel the spuds or wash the dishes.
"There was no way I was letting him in," she said laughing.
These days they share the chores and have given up arguing, a trick they say is sure to create a happy marriage.
"If I could give newly-weds one piece of advice it would be stop arguing," Mr Piercy said.
"Half the time it just really is not worth it, it's just a waste of time. Just get along and forgive the small stuff. Life is far too short. Enjoy each other."
Tips to wedded bliss
*Get along, there is no point rowing, no one ever really wins and it is just a waste of time.
*Trial and error, just stick it out.
*Patience.
*Compromise.