Jere
Jere Pelletier
d. October 4, 2016
With heavy hearts we bid farewell to Jere Pelletier, a compassionate, generous, and devoted family man who lived the best traditions of his Catholic faith: welcoming the stranger, caring for his neighbor, and bettering every life he touched. We will remember him with a joke on his lips, a smile on his face, and an arm around his beautiful wife, Donna.
Long time Albuquerque resident, Jere Joseph Pelletier (86) passed away peacefully on Tuesday after a valiant fight against respiratory failure. Born in Spokane, Washington to Francis and Genevieve (Gallagher) Pelletier on August 12, 1930, he grew up in Billings, Montana with his brother Edward and his twin sister, Rita. His parents and siblings preceded him in death.
Before he began his sign career, Jere served as a Navy reservist. As a neon tube bender he took part in making some of the signs that line the famous Route 66. He began his career at the age of 16 in Billings learning the neon trade and sweeping the shop when the inspectors showed up. After four years in Spokane and Pasco, Washington he moved his young family to Farmington, New Mexico in 1958, where he managed the Electrical Products Company (Zeon Signs) local shop for 13 years. He earned his journeyman sign electrician card and was a member of the IBEW.
In 1971 the Pelletier family moved to Albuquerque where Jere became the service manager for the company. After increasing the service business by four-hundred percent, Jere was invited to join a partnership that purchased the sign company. After many years as service manager Jere returned to his first love, neon tube bending.
Jere enjoyed using his skills as a glass blower to create personal works of art. He made several Christmas signs, including a wreath, a candle, a star, and even a "Bah Humbug" after one of his signs was stolen. He made a cactus, a unicorn, a cheetah, and two signs celebrating his 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries.
Mr. Pelletier enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life. He was a bowler who threw a mean strike. He was a baseball player who loved Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Ted Williams. He maintained a love for the sport, and especially the Boston Red Sox. He shared his love for America's game with his children, but when his sons Jere and Mark decided to try golf it became his new favorite sport. He learned to play and enjoyed uncountable rounds of golf with his friends and family, whether he was playing, caddying, in the gallery or watching the pros. He loved a good puzzle and did the daily crossword, Cryptoquip, and word scramble every day. Jere also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and has recreated some wonderful works of art.
Jere is survived by his wife, Donna - whom he described as a joy above description. He recalled Lou Gehrig saying in his final 1939 speech at Yankee Stadium: "I feel I'm the luckiest man on the face of this earth." Jere told everyone "In 1952, when we married, I took his place." He is also survived by five children, 12 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. David and Laura Pelletier and their children, Susan and Nicole, Jere F. and Janie Pelletier, their son, Gilbert and Jere's daughters, Katie and Heather Beltran (Antonio), Mark and Karen Pelletier and their children, Sissy Cook Gonzales (Dominic), Jere Ryan and Dana; Janis and Ken Schweizer and their children Gregory and Daniel; and Ted and Traci Pelletier and their children, Alex (Alexandria), and Lauren. Great grandchildren: Morgan, Gabriel, Ava, Marcus and Xander. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Lawrence Heiser (Bonnie) and many nieces and nephews.
A Rosary will be recited on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church, 8901 Candelaria Road, N.E., Albuquerque, NM, with Graveside Service immediately following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 7999 Wyoming Blvd N.E, Albuquerque.
In lieu of flowers or gifts please make a tribute donation in Jere's memory. Checks should be made out to the Sun Country Junior Golf Foundation and mailed to 2316 Southern Blvd SE, Suite C, Rio Rancho, NM 87124,
This is the link people should use to donate as it will track donations specifically in Mr. Pelletier's memory: https://goo.gl/hAfkji
May his memory--and example--be forever inscribed on the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.
Long time Albuquerque resident, Jere Joseph Pelletier (86) passed away peacefully on Tuesday after a valiant fight against respiratory failure. Born in Spokane, Washington to Francis and Genevieve (Gallagher) Pelletier on August 12, 1930, he grew up in Billings, Montana with his brother Edward and his twin sister, Rita. His parents and siblings preceded him in death.
Before he began his sign career, Jere served as a Navy reservist. As a neon tube bender he took part in making some of the signs that line the famous Route 66. He began his career at the age of 16 in Billings learning the neon trade and sweeping the shop when the inspectors showed up. After four years in Spokane and Pasco, Washington he moved his young family to Farmington, New Mexico in 1958, where he managed the Electrical Products Company (Zeon Signs) local shop for 13 years. He earned his journeyman sign electrician card and was a member of the IBEW.
In 1971 the Pelletier family moved to Albuquerque where Jere became the service manager for the company. After increasing the service business by four-hundred percent, Jere was invited to join a partnership that purchased the sign company. After many years as service manager Jere returned to his first love, neon tube bending.
Jere enjoyed using his skills as a glass blower to create personal works of art. He made several Christmas signs, including a wreath, a candle, a star, and even a "Bah Humbug" after one of his signs was stolen. He made a cactus, a unicorn, a cheetah, and two signs celebrating his 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries.
Mr. Pelletier enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life. He was a bowler who threw a mean strike. He was a baseball player who loved Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Ted Williams. He maintained a love for the sport, and especially the Boston Red Sox. He shared his love for America's game with his children, but when his sons Jere and Mark decided to try golf it became his new favorite sport. He learned to play and enjoyed uncountable rounds of golf with his friends and family, whether he was playing, caddying, in the gallery or watching the pros. He loved a good puzzle and did the daily crossword, Cryptoquip, and word scramble every day. Jere also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and has recreated some wonderful works of art.
Jere is survived by his wife, Donna - whom he described as a joy above description. He recalled Lou Gehrig saying in his final 1939 speech at Yankee Stadium: "I feel I'm the luckiest man on the face of this earth." Jere told everyone "In 1952, when we married, I took his place." He is also survived by five children, 12 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. David and Laura Pelletier and their children, Susan and Nicole, Jere F. and Janie Pelletier, their son, Gilbert and Jere's daughters, Katie and Heather Beltran (Antonio), Mark and Karen Pelletier and their children, Sissy Cook Gonzales (Dominic), Jere Ryan and Dana; Janis and Ken Schweizer and their children Gregory and Daniel; and Ted and Traci Pelletier and their children, Alex (Alexandria), and Lauren. Great grandchildren: Morgan, Gabriel, Ava, Marcus and Xander. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Lawrence Heiser (Bonnie) and many nieces and nephews.
A Rosary will be recited on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church, 8901 Candelaria Road, N.E., Albuquerque, NM, with Graveside Service immediately following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 7999 Wyoming Blvd N.E, Albuquerque.
In lieu of flowers or gifts please make a tribute donation in Jere's memory. Checks should be made out to the Sun Country Junior Golf Foundation and mailed to 2316 Southern Blvd SE, Suite C, Rio Rancho, NM 87124,
This is the link people should use to donate as it will track donations specifically in Mr. Pelletier's memory: https://goo.gl/hAfkji
May his memory--and example--be forever inscribed on the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.
Service Details
Saturday, October 8th, 2016, 10:00am, Sangre de Cristo Catholic Community Church
Saturday, October 8th, 2016, 10:30am, Sangre de Cristo Catholic Community Church
Interment Details
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
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