Joseph O. Pellerin, 91, of Upton and Eustis, FL, died early Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at home in Upton after an illness. He was the husband of Margaret M. (Duffy) Pellerin.
Mr. Pellerin was born in Sanford, ME, a son of the late Oscar and Emerilda (Compagna) Pellerin. He grew up in Clinton, where he was a former member of the Clinton Elks, and had lived in Upton for 33 years before moving to Florida in 1988. He was a communicant of Holy Angels Parish (now St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish) in Upton and St. Patrick's Parish in Mt. Dora, FL.
A decorated World War II Army veteran, Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, he was wounded in action at the battle of Luzon in the Pacific, and attained the rank of Lt. Col. with the Army Reserves before retiring from the Reserves in 1970.
After an earlier career as a frozen foods and dairy salesman, he worked as a supervisor for Iandoli's Supermarket in Worcester for 21 years, retiring in 1980. In retirement, he and his wife of 66 years enjoyed traveling in their RV to 49 states and all Canadian provinces.
In addition to his wife, he leaves five sons, Thomas Pellerin and his wife Ngoc of Milford, Ernest Pellerin of Upton, Robert Pellerin and his wife Sharon of Upton, Andrew Pellerin and his wife Claire of Burrillville, RI, and John Pellerin of Mobile, AL; three daughters, Margaret Garza and her husband Steven of Corydon, IN, Rita Pellerin-White and her husband Paul White of Merrimack, NH, and Jean Pellerin of Upton; a sister, Rita Skarin of Worcester; 9 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and his beloved cat, Curious George. His brother, George Pellerin of Clinton died earlier this year.
Service Details
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 23, 2011
from the Williams-Pedersen Funeral Home, with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m.
in St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, 151 Mendon Street, Upton.
Burial with military honors will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, Maple Ave., Upton.
Calling hours at the funeral home are Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.