Joseph Gilles Desalle Pelletier
“Pete”
1933 - 2013
Pete Pelletier had an adventurer’s heart and an enduring wanderlust that led him down many paths and places during his life. He was born on December 18, 1933 in Edmunston, New Brunswick and while still in his teens, he joined the RCAF to see the world. He worked in avionics, but that was just one of many skills, trades and occupations he would accumulate over the course of his life. Never one to sit still, he took up boxing while in the military, and became a welterweight champion. He also met and married his first wife, a lieutenant in the RCAF, while stationed in Belgium, where they began their family. The traveling spirit continued in civilian life, as Pete moved his family all over Canada and spent many summers exploring North America. His fondest memories were of his years in the Arctic, where he was a radar technician on the early warning defense system, then known as the DEW Line. He was known for his conviviality and story telling, particularly as owner of the Wells Hotel, near Barkerville, which he bought in 1971. After selling the hotel, he worked at Historic Barkerville Park until moving to Cranbrook in 1980, where he became the head of security and a jack of all trades at Fort Steele Park. He moved to Wasa in 1994, and retired one year later, after the death of his wife. He remarried in 1998, and never stopped traveling. In 2012, frail, but still the wanderer, he moved one last time, back to Cranbrook where his second wife died. Pete passed away peacefully in his home on October 20, 2013 surrounded by family at 79 years of age.
Pete is survived by four children, Debi Pelletier of Port Saint Lucie, Florida; Sandra Phillips (Dick) of Bowron Lake, BC; Linda Pelletier (Chris Harvey) of Cranbrook, BC; and Richard Pelletier of Edmonton, AB; and his sister Marcelle Donovan of the Lower Mainland. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Linda’s children Shelby, Taylor, Tianna, and Sandy’s children Colleen and Jennifer. He was predeceased by: his wife Stella Audrey (nee Dorish), who passed away in January 1995 at age 59, and his wife Elaine Marie Picton, (nee Krottner), who passed away in August 2012 at age 67.
At Pete’s request, there will be no funeral service. He will be Interred in Ft. Steele Cemetery in the spring of 2014. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honour of Pete may do so to the: Canadian Cancer Society, 19 - 9th Avenue South, Cranbrook, British Columbia, V1C 2L9 or the:. Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon, Okanagan/Kootenays Area Office, #4, 1551 - Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 9M9.
In Our Hearts
We thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday.
And days before that too.
We think of you in silence.
We often speak your name.
Now all we have is memories.
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake.
With which we’ll never part.
God has you in his keeping.
We have you in our heart.
by: Rose de Leon
Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.
Condolences for the family can be offered at:
www.mcphersonfh.com