SACO – Strengthened by the sacraments of his Roman Catholic faith and supported by the care of his family and friend, the Rev. George C. Pelletier, 57, died in peace surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.

He was born in Portland, on Dec. 19, 1950, a son of the late Lionel and Marguerite (LeBorgne) Pelletier. He grew up in Gorham and graduated from Gorham High. He took seminary and theological training at St. Thomas Seminary in West Hartford, Conn. His bachelor’s and master’s degree of divinity were earned at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore.

He was ordained deacon in 1978, and served his deaconate at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. His ordination by Bishop Amidee Proulx, DD, took place at St. Hyacinth Parish in Westbrook June 2, 1979.

He served St. Thomas Aquinus, Madawaska, St. John the Evangelist, South Portland, St. Louis, Ft. Kent, his beloved St. Mark’s, Ashland, Our Lady of the Lake, Portage and St. Rose of Lima, Jay. His final parish assignment was at St. Ambrose, Richmond and St. Leo, Litchfield. During his parish assignments, he was very active in community affairs.

He also served as a chaplain for the Maine State National Guard and was awarded the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and resigned his commission as a captain. While assigned in South Portland, he was the chaplain for the Portland Fire Department. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

For the past five years, he was employed by the Westbrook School Department as a school bus driver and licensed instructor. The students of bus 24 lovingly referred to him as “George of the Jungle.”

He was an avid snowmobiler, current member of the Ashland Snowmobile Club and all around snow enthusiast. For many years, he was an American Red Cross platelet pheresis donor.

He is survived by his sister, Colette J. Connelly and her husband, David, of Nashua, N.H.; a brother, Richard L. Pelletier and wife, Judy, of Tenants Harbor; brother-in-law, Russell T. Thoits of Raymond; his sister, Jane L. Conrod and her husband, Lew, of Bartow, Fla.; he will be lovingly missed by many nieces and nephews, Nancy and Patrick, Kristen, Kara and Kimberly, Christopher and Jennifer, Scott, Tammy and Suzie; and several great-nieces and nephews. Uncle George was fun to spend time with, because he was such a happy, inspiring person and made us all feel very special.

He was predeceased by his mother; his father; and a dear sister, Suzanne L. Thoits.