John L. Pelletier, 88, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, surrounded by family. Born in Norwood, MA to the late Mary (Dean) and Victor Pelletier, it is there he met and married Virginia Delores “Dodie” Farioli and raised their family before moving to the South Shore in 1979.
After graduating from Providence College, John began his career in publishing prior to finding his true calling in Education. He spent almost 40 years at Newbury College, before health issues forced him to retire at age 82. While there, he wore many hats: Professor, Chairman, Dean – but mostly, (and his favorite) was just Mr. P. His love for mentoring his students in hospitality led to many of them keeping in touch with him long after graduation. His Newbury community quickly became part of his family. This is also where his creative collection of pineapples emerged, and he would tell everyone (yes, everyone) of their meaning of hospitality.
His family - by blood or by choice - was always John’s priority. He was very proud of his 10 children, loved his “Cousins club” adventures, and loved to set out the good china. His holiday tablescapes and décor, complete with more flowers than a florist, reflected his love for entertaining and enjoying the finer things in life.
John’s strong Catholic Faith always guided him throughout his life. He quickly became part of the Catholic Parish in each community he lived (Norwood, Duxbury, Marshfield, Braintree); never hesitating to “kindly suggest” to the priests how things should be done!
John is predeceased by his loving wife Dodie Pelletier, his brother Victor “Bunny” Pelletier, his daughter Louise Pelletier, his daughter Cathryn Erickson and daughter-in-law Jacqueline Welch.
John is survived by his sisters by choice Laraine Conway and her husband Dave of NE, Ann Marie Rotondo and her late husband Tony of Reading, sister-in-law Marie Pelletier of Canton, and children Jack Pelletier of Plymouth, Andrew Williams and his wife Marie of Randolph, Ginny Sgarzi and her husband Damon of Plymouth, Patti Davis and her husband Bill of Kingston, Peter Pelletier of Marshfield, Carolyn Pelletier of Braintree, Stephen Pelletier of PA, and Matthew Pelletier of Braintree.
John is also survived by his 8 Grandchildren: Steven Pelletier and his wife Alycia of Quincy, Monica Sasso and her husband Wayne of VA, Melanie Lund of D.C, Melissa Fernez and her husband Andy of Pembroke, Jonathan Lund of VA, Brian Erickson of Woburn, Ben Pelletier and Sam Pelletier of PA, as well as great grandchildren, Evie, Louie, Isla, Cyrus, and nieces Nancy Pelletier of Norwood, Caryn Bacchiocchi of Quincy, Megan Whittle of NE and nephew John Conway of VT.
Funeral Mass to be celebrated on Wednesday July 2, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Catherine of Sienna, Washington Street Norwood, MA. Pineapple attire suggested for those attending.