LEWISTON – Fernand J. Pelletier, 78, of 84 St. Croix St., Lewiston, died with his loving family by his side on Thursday, April 24, shortly after arrival at Central Maine Medical Center.

He was born in Ste. Quentin, New Brunswick, Canada, on March 7, 1930, a son of Antoine and Marieanne (Fournier) Pelletier. He was educated in Canadian schools, moved to this area as a young adult and remained a lifelong resident of this community.

On June 6, 1953, he married the former Irene Clavet of Lewiston.

Fern worked all his life as a self-employed builder and finish carpenter until his retirement in 1992, after which he continued working small jobs. As a man of his generation, with little public education, he was a hard worker and a self-taught carpenter who was very smart and very good at what he did and became a well-respected carpenter in the local building and contracting business.

He was a member of Holy Family Church, where he served as an usher every weekend at Mass, a 3rd Degree lifetime honorary member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 106 and a member of Union Local 407 International Carpenters’ Labor Association.

Among his favorite enjoyments were playing pool and spending fun times at family gatherings where he liked to pull jokes on people, as he was quite the “prankster.” He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who had a big heart and was one who loved helping people anytime he could with whatever they needed. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

He leaves his wife of 54 years, Irene Pelletier of Lewiston; a daughter, Anne P. Latuscha and husband, John, of Readfield; two sons, Richard J. Pelletier and wife, Laura, of Lewiston, and Roland R. Pelletier and wife, Gail, also of Lewiston; seven grandchildren, Deneige, Abigale, Desirae, Chelsey, Craig and his friend, Julie, Brian and his wife, Christy, and Brandon and his wife, Dianna; three great-grandchildren, Isabella, Mischa and Vanessa; two sisters, Germaine Morrissette and husband, Armand, of Greene, and Lucienne Wright of Brunswick; nine brothers, Leonard Pelletier and friend, Patricia, of Turner, Clarence Pelletier and wife, Claudette, of Lewiston, Lucien Pelletier and wife, Charlene, of Mechanic Falls, Laurier Pelletier, Donald Pelletier, Gaetan Pelletier, Gilles Pelletier, Yves Pelletier and Micheal Pelletier, all of Canada; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; stepmother, Donia Pelletier; a son, Roger; five sisters, Theresa, Rita, Marielle, Bertha and Nicole; by six brothers, Laurent, Percy, Alphee, Patrick, Rene and Leo; and by his very good friend, Andy Parquet.