It is with saddened hearts we announce the loss of Lionel R. Pelletier. At the time of his death on July 24th, he was surrounded by his loving wife, Mary, their nine children, their spouses and his grandchildren. In 1928, Lionel was born in Salem to David and Clara and remained a lifelong resident. He is survived by his brothers Maurice of Middleton, Herve and his wife Annette of Raymond, NH., his sister Lucille and her husband Henry Martineau of Clifton, NJ. and his special sister-in-law Margaret R. Jacobs of St. Stephen New Brunswick, Canada. Lionel was a proud and wonderful father to his children: Richard L, of Nahant, Margie and her husband David Raymond of Salem, Mary E. Pelletier of Dube’s and Marblehead, Monica M. Froese and her partner Rich Martin of Addison Maine, David J. and his wife Judy of Marblehead, Martha C. and her husband Mark Petit of Salem, Maureen and her husband Michael Kapnis of Salem, Myra and her husband Bill Coletti of Gloucester and Mona C. and her husband Rick Noone of Salem. He loved and enjoyed the company of his thirteen grandchildren: Jake, Hannah, David, Melissa, Emily, Amanda, Benjamin, Allison, Joe, Jilliann, Jaclyn, Harry, Abbey and his great grandson Aiden St. Pierre.
His lifelong accomplishments were many; He served in the U.S. Army in occupied Germany where he held his dream position of searching out the best venues all over Europe for the Army hosted sporting events. During his military stay, he raced for the down hill ski team, boxed and played baseball on the elite teams. In addition, he was privileged to play golf with generals and was also hand picked to officiate the 1952 Olympic Ice Hockey games held in Oslo, Norway.
As his family grew, so did his visions and work ethic. He began his civilian career in sales with John Hancock, quickly becoming a “$10,000 man.” He co-founded Real’s Oil with his brothers Real and Wilfred. Lionel also held the exclusive building rights for Dudley Sports which built batting cages around the New England area, including the Rt. 1 Mini Golf, which still stands today. Soon after, Beaver’s Enterprises was born. This endeavor included installing hot top, fencing and artificial turf. Many Salem residents will remember during the 1970s, the Pelletier station wagon covered in Astroturf and filled with his wife and “mortified” children. In 1961, Lionel bought Dube’s Café, which was a little known bar serving the workers of the early shifts of Sylvania. Dube’s continues to be one the most popular dining spots Salem has ever seen. He loved his early morning routine and camaraderie while prepping with the kitchen staff each day. In 1973, he surprised his wife by purchasing Naumkeag Auto Salvage. He proudly continued to dress in his “junkyard” attire to be part of the daily operation well into his 60s. That legacy lives on.
Never afraid of calculated risk, he became 50% owner of Elaine Benedict of Miami, a sport clothing line, and ultimately fulfilled his lifelong dream of building and owning a championship Golf course, Bink’s Forest in Wellington Florida. Under his tutelage, Bink’s Forest hosted the PGA event, the Chrysler’s Cup, won by Fred Couples. Though he loved his home in Southern Florida, Salem was home.
Lionel will long be remembered for many sporting moments:
• A Semi-pro baseball career
• A member of the 1946 championship Hockey team at Salem High School
• For many years he officiated and coached high school football, hockey and baseball events
• Sponsoring the annual Dube’s Open Golf Tournament held in Hudson, NH
• Several Championships at his home course, Salem Country Club, and other area courses
• Proudly taking busloads of children and friends to watch his son Richie, play for Holy Cross and the New England Patriots
Mostly, he will forever be remembered as a hard working, proud and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, providing so much joy to so many. He will be missed by all.
Arrangements: Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. in Ste. Anne Church, 290 Jefferson Ave., Salem to be followed by his funeral mass on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 10 a.m. also in Ste. Anne Church. A committal service will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, a fund will be set up for the Beaver Pelletier Memorial Fund at PO BOX 4565 Salem, MA 01970. Assisting the family with arrangement is the Levesque Funeral Home of Salem. For guest book please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com