Joseph E Pelletier

On September 7, 2021, Joseph E. Pelletier, 84, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family after a 2.5-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Born and raised in Springfield to the late Lucien Pelletier and Olivina (Aubut) Pelletier from Quebec, Canada, Joe graduated from Technical High School class of 1956.  He was the 11th of 12 children and was the last remaining. After high school he started working as an auto mechanic and held various jobs through the years. Since 1986 Joe was a self-employed carpenter and did general home improvement in the area. He was still working on home projects until the very end of his life, removing wall-to-wall carpeting from his bedroom while in his wheelchair!

Joe leaves his loving wife of 64 years, JoAnn (Rose) Pelletier. They've been together since they were age 13 and 14 when Joe would walk from Six Corners to see JoAnn who lived in Forest Park—that's love! Joe and JoAnn lived in Longmeadow for 47 years before moving to East Longmeadow in 2012. 

Joe's greatest joy was spending time with his family. Joe is survived by his five children: Jim (Nancy) of East Longmeadow, Joel (Marina) of Los Angeles, CA, Steven (Cathy) of East Longmeadow, Todd (Tammey) of Hampden, and Pam (Pelletier) Wilkins (Brian) of Wilbraham; 11 grandchildren: Jesse and Ben Pelletier, Kate and Kaytelin Pelletier, Amber Pelletier, Kayla Howell (Ryan), Taylor, Ashley, and Alex Jones, Mark (Julia) and Quincy Wilkins; and 3 great-grandchildren: Adaline and Grant Wilkins and Milo Howell.  He also has many nieces and nephews in the Springfield area.

Joe was a kind and quiet guy who enjoyed bowling in leagues, watching the Red Sox, donut dip donuts, decaf coffee with a straw, day trips in the mini-van around New England, fish & chips at Lenny & Joe’s, classical music, watching his grandkids play on various sports teams, musical concerts and dances, everything about cars, and spending time tinkering in his workshop. He taught his kids to repair and work on cars, build things, and to work with their hands. He was a great influence in their lives and will be dearly missed by his family.

Joe worshiped at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Springfield. He enjoyed a good message given by a pastor wearing a suit. His daughter would remind him that it didn't matter how the pastor dressed! He liked to listen to the hymns played by the organist. 

Joe's family would like to thank his oncologist, Dr. Iyer, and the nurses at Sister Caritas Cancer Center. Special thanks to his wonderful nurses— Bonnie, Dorothy, Katrina, Yvonne (and social worker Joanne) with Beacon Hospice.

Calling hours are from 4pm–6pm on Thursday, September 9th, at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow. Burial will take place at Hillcrest Park Cemetery on Parker Street in Springfield on Friday, September 10th, at 11am. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Evangelical Covenant Church, 915 Plumtree Road, Springfield, on Friday, September 10th, at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Springfield Rescue Mission, World Vision (please buy a goat or chickens), or American Cancer Society.