Louis Marie Pelletier

Louis Marie Pelletier passed away on May 26, 2026, at his home in Roseville, California, surrounded by the love of his family. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Aurore (Landry) Pelletier; his sisters, Cécile, Rita, and Christiane; and his brothers, Lucien, Donat, Fernand, Philippe, Gérard, and Rosaire (Ross). Left behind to cherish his memories are his wife of 62 years, Claire Marie (Caron) Pelletier and their daughter, Nicole Taylor and her husband Kevin. Their sons, Andrew Pelletier and Donald Pelletier and grandchildren Cadence Taylor and Chelsea Monroe and her husband Wes, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was the beloved anchor of the Pelletier household—a strong, faithful, go-to guide for practical advice and a master troubleshooter who would fix any problem he ran across.  His 93-year-old heart gave him and his family many “miles” given his hardworking nature, the active pace of his 41-year Air Force and Civil Service career, and health challenges in his later years.

Born in Lewiston, Maine, Lou was the youngest of ten children in a French-speaking household. His father Joseph built two of the family’s homes and was a cobbler while his mother, Aurore, an excellent seamstress. Joseph sang opera and even landed the lead role in Gounod’s opera, Faust in 1930 . Many of his brothers all possessed beautiful tenor voices as did Lou who later took taped vocal lessons from his brother Ross in Chicago. Nessun Dorma was especially dear to his ears.

A family illness forced Lou at age 4 and his brother Ross, age 6, to the Sacred Heart Convent school in Jackman, Maine, where their paternal aunt lived as a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph. This six-year stay forged a deep, lifelong bond between the two younger brothers. After returning to Lewiston, Lou attended St. Patrick School and St. Dominic High School, where by then, older siblings had grown up and moved on. Yet Lou went to work in a shoe factory and later helped his father with building projects and his fish store business. A neighboring electronics shopkeeper, Mr. Sylvestor, fostered Lou’s natural scientific curiosity by letting him practice repairing broken gadgets and radios brought home from the store.

At 18, in 1952 at Sampson AFB, New York, Lou enlisted in the U.S. Air Force—a decision he regarded later as one of the second best choices of his life. Over a distinguished 21-year military career, he advanced from Flight Mechanic to Flight Engineer, Flight Engineer Instructor, and Standardization Team Member on KC-97 aircraft. His service spanned the Korean War era, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War. He earned numerous Air Force commendations for innovative suggestions that saved time and money.

Lou made his “best life choice” on July 4th, 1964 when he married Claire Marie Pelletier at the Sacred Heart Church in Auburn, Maine in the presence of his brother Donat Pelletier and Claire’s sister Anne Caron. This began an amazing lifetime adventure where Lou showed his devotion as a husband who cared deeply for his wife Claire’s well-being and supported her every endeavor. Often, when asked by Claire, “What do you want to do, Lou?” he cheerfully responded, “Whatever you want to do Claire!”

He loved serving his country and had many interesting and rewarding experiences with ample educational opportunities which Lou seized whenever possible. He excelled in mechanical and technical skills and, always wanting to better himself, he enrolled in classes throughout much of his life to add to his always growing passion for electronics and early embedded computer systems, air conditioning servicing, welding and old radio/TV repair.

Following his military retirement, he continued his technical dedication by earning degrees in Electronic Communication / Semiconductors and Computer Technology and graduating with Highest Honors from American River College. From there, he transitioned to civilian service staying at his last duty station, McClellan AFB. Lou spent many years here as an electronic technician then as a quality assurance manager.

A devout Catholic, Lou took his many years of ministry as a lector earnestly, often memorizing upcoming scripture readings and tape-recording his delivery to prepare prior to Mass. Lectoring first at McClellan Air Force Base Chapel (St. Francis of Assisi) moving on to St. Lawrence and then, St. Clare Catholic Church. He served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Philomene where his kids attended school. Together, Lou and Claire brought Sunday Holy Communion to nursing home residents with their family in tow and his faith was deepened through the Cenacle Charismatic Renewal prayer group and a 1988 family pilgrimage to Medjugorje.

Lou was kind, generous—a true Good Samaritan who quietly helped strangers and lent support without waiting to be asked. Spontaneous and genuinely fun-loving, he doted on babies and kept a youthful joy alive in his heart. He had a good sense of humor and while some who didn’t know him might have thought it a bit silly or quirky, to us it was his super power.

Through the years, Lou loved his kids and took them on many camping trips and road adventures. He cherished his two granddaughters, Chelsea Monroe and Cadence Taylor and, embracing his role as “Grandpa”, willingly put personal plans, travel, and daily schedules on hold to babysit and dote on the girls.  Chelsea, his eldest granddaughter, remembers special trips to Santa Cruz hotels and hot clam chowder, drive-through burger runs, and “movie hopping” with him to catch the beginnings or ends of different films. Cadence remembers Grandpa often bringing a consistency to her childhood, creating a beloved annual tradition that she appreciated: special celebratory outings to Leatherby’s Family Creamery for birthday ice cream. In later years, he delighted in leaving long, whimsical voicemails or texts to his wife, kids, grandchildren and most everyone else in his contact list.

Lou taught his children autonomy, self-reliance, loyalty and a practical manner of carrying on in the world. He lived to serve his country, to stand up for justice and speak truth when opportunity or necessity arose. Most of all, he embodied a deep faith and humor that was the anchor to the family he loved so dearly. We miss you, Lou… and cherish the experiences you opened our eyes to!

Please enjoy the tribute slideshow at this link:   https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/J4YRGQDLWRHHPNNL

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Funeral services for Louis Pelletier will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 at St. Clare Catholic Church, 1950 Junction Blvd., Roseville, CA  95747

• Rosary at 10:00am
• Funeral Mass at 10:30am
• Air Force Military Honors in the courtyard immediately following Mass
• Reception at the Morris Center, approx. Noon – 1:30pm
• Graveside service at Calvary Cemetery, 7101 Verner Ave., Citrus Heights, CA 95621 at 2:00pm

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“Sgt Pelletier has an extremely rare and valuable gift. He has the inquisitiveness of a scientist… An organization and society composed of men like Sgt Pelletier would be invincible. Best of all, he is not content to rest on his laurels.” –Major Jack L. Baughman December 1961.

“When I was growing up, uncle Louie would stay at our house when he had time off from Pease AFB…it was always a pleasure to have him around with his goofy sense of humor”. –Don Veilleux, nephew of Lou and sister of Christine Lachance.

“He placed a lot of value on family and all other relationships… I can still hear his “boop-boop-pee-doop” chuckle. We never knew when he’d show up… but when we saw the bedroom door closed downstairs, we knew uncle Lou was around.” –Christine Lachance, “eldest” niece of Lou and daughter of Lou’s older sister Christiane Veilleux.

“He is a real compassionate human being who can laugh at his own mistakes instead of blaming someone else.” –Howard B. Crownover, Friend