Richard Pelletier

LAKE PLACID, NY - Richard (Rick) Vernon Pelletier, age 58, of Greenwood Apartments, Lake Placid, NY, passed away March 28, 2024, from complications of diabetes.

He was born September 26, 1965, in Farmington, ME, the fourth child of Richard and Rebecca (Barclay) Pelletier. He grew up as a country kid, with his sisters Julie and Lori, and brother Derrick, in the family home on Baldwin Hill, in Fayette, ME. Rick attended Fayette Central School and Livermore Falls Public Schools, graduating in the class of 1983.

As a youth, Rick was an active member of the Happy Hustlers 4H Club, AYS baseball, basketball and high school football. He enjoyed summers fishing in Tilton Pond and winters with his family with the Rainbow Riders Snowmobile Club.

Rick was born into a musical family and began singing with the Androscoggin Valley Choral Society as a youth. One of his greatest accomplishments was singing "Handel's Messiah" at the age of 10. He also played trombone in the Livermore Falls High School Band and Jazz Band. During high school he played football and was also the manager of the baseball and basketball teams.

Rick had a deep faith that was nurtured by his involvement in the Fayette Baptist Church, the youth group, the Bible Club, and the Church Choir. After High School, Rick attended Ravenscrest Chalet Bible School in Estes Park, CO, where he completed courses in Bible Study and Christian Ministry. He also did missionary work in Haiti with the Galilee Baptist Church of Denver, CO.

Ever the sportsman, one of Rick's greatest joys was skiing with his close Christian friends in the Great Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Rick was also an avid golfer and very proud that he could consistently drive a golf ball over 350 yards. His love for the game found him playing courses around the country and excelling at the sport to become a championship player.

After college, Rick moved to Middletown, NY and became a die-hard Yankees fan - one of his cherished memories was bringing his dad to Yankee Stadium for a baseball game. Throughout the 1980s, Rick continued his involvement in sports by playing in two different softball leagues in Orange County, NY.

Rick called upon his managerial skills and began working at Pizza Hut in Middletown. It was around this time that he met and married his wife, Juanita, and became a stepdad to her son John. A little later, Rick and Juanita welcomed the addition of a son they named Tyler Richard Alexander Pelletier.

Eventually Rick moved on to manage other franchises in the fast-food industry. Over the years he worked for Wendy's, Taco Bell and Stewart's Shops all in the Middletown area. He also became the manager of Uncle Bob's Self Storage in both NY and MI. Rick then branched out into working for Owens-Corning where he excelled at sales. He also moonlighted for years as a bartender at Whispers Lounge where he met and became friends with many baseball players.

Rick is survived by his son Tyler Pelletier and his partner Dr. Neselle Mae Hernandez of Highland Falls, NY. Tyler's mother Juanita Pelletier of Middletown, and stepson John Fiesel of Otisville, NY. His parents Dick and Becky Pelletier of Fayette, ME, sisters Julie Robards (Terry) of Upper Jay, NY, and Lori Beth Bonnevie (Barry) of Fayette, a brother- in -law Michael Castaneda of Livermore Falls, ME, a sister-in-law Roxanne Turner of Fayette, and a very special nephew Timothy Robinson of Upper Jay, NY. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.

Rick was predeceased by his brother Derrick Pelletier and grandniece, Jillian Morrell. Rick had a soft spot in his heart for dogs, and his gentle pit bull Nala. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rick's memory to Pets Alive, a no kill rescue shelter in Middletown, NY. (www.petsalive.org)

A graveside service will be held at the family cemetery on Moose Hill, Livermore Falls, ME, at a future date.

Services were entrusted to Heidrick-Zaumetzer Funeral Home, Au Sable Forks, NY.