Joseph S. Pelis

Joseph S. Pelis 1930 - 2009 ESSEX JUNCTION Joseph S. Pelis passed away July 21, 2009 at Burlington Health and Rehab. Joe was born at home on April 22, 1930, in Hinsdale, N.H., to Nellie Kolnacki and Joseph C. Pelis. Joe's long and accomplished educational career started humbly in a one-room schoolhouse. He graduated from Hinsdale High School, then from the University of New Hampshire and the Thompson School of Agriculture where he made Dean's list and discovered his lifelong interest in agriculture. While in school, Joe not only enrolled in the ROTC, graduating with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, but he also graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture as well as a major in Education in addition to three minors. A college education was so important to Joe that in his junior year he grew ten acres of pickling cucumbers to pay for his last year of school. After graduating from college and a brief stint with the Niagara Chemical Company, Joe entered the Army and reported to Fort Bliss, Texas. He was in the first group of commissioned officers trained under the missile expert, Von Bron Group, on the original NIKE missile. Joe's NIKE battery had the honor of firing 12 missiles at White Sands, N.M., and won top honors for the best NIKE battery in the United States. After two years on active duty and a short time in the Reserves, he retired with the rank of Captain. After, Joe went back to work at the Niagara Chemical Company in Ayer, Mass., and was in charge of farm chemical manufacturing and the Northeast distribution warehouse. This job was the beginning of Joe's involvement with the cranberry industry, which lasted for over 51 years. He was responsible for many new developments and advancements in the cranberry industry, including being the first to do field test plots of micronutrients and recommending using Boron to produce higher cranberry yields. He was also the first to use insecticides with fertilizer to control grubs, and the first to recommend micronutrients and the timing of applications. Joe wrote a book on cranberry culture for the sole use of Cutler Cranberry Company, and he published an article in Cranberry National magazine, appearing on the front cover. He did work for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on their Russian cranberry project, and he also did cranberry studies for Poland, China, and New Brunswick, Calif. During this time, he also ran an apple, peach and pear orchard and 10 acres of "Pick Your Own" strawberries for 10 years; he owned and ran a fertilizer plant producing micronutrient formulations, and he was part owner of ATOKA Manufacturing and Bieler Cranberry of Quebec. At the time of his death, he was still six years into working on an eight year project on P205 phosphorus, and he was still actively working with Habelman Bros. in Wisconsin. On Nov. 29, 1975, at St. Anne's Church in Shrewsbury, Mass., he married the love of his life, Jean Purretta, who survives him. Their only son, Joseph A. Pelis, was born Jan. 24, 1975, at Memorial Hospital in Worcester, Mass. Joe wanted everyone to know through his obituary that it was the inspiration and support of his loving wife, Jean, and his son, Joe, that allowed him to follow his dreams all these years and for that he is forever grateful. Besides Jean and Joe, Joe leaves his three younger sisters, Sophie Standow of Bedford, N.H., and Maryann Wallace and Helen (Al) Courtemanche, both of Hinsdale, N.H.; his sisters-in-law Frances Purretta and Connie (John) Hovagimian, both of Shrewsbury, and Margaret Carlson of Shrewsbury; many nieces and nephews; his loving foster child, Gary Mumley Jr., and his very special nephew, Mike Purretta, who has helped out greatly through the years and whose children called him Grandpa Joe. He also leaves Randy Turner, a Special Olympian and coach and good friend to his son, as well as good friend and fellow New England Patriots fan, Joe Wojewodzic. Joe was predeceased by his parents; by a sister, Shirley Walker of Detroit, Mich.; by his parents-in-law, Thomas and Congetta Aquino Purretta, and by his brothers-in-law, Joseph Purretta and Arthur Carlson both of Shrewsbury. FUNERAL NOTICE: A Memorial Mass will be Saturday, July 25, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Parish in Essex Junction, followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery on Old Colchester Road. Visiting hours will be Friday July 24, 2009, from 4 to 7 p.m. at CORBIN and PALMER FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe's memory may be made to Special Olympics of Vermont, Chittenden Program. Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home, Pleasant St., Essex Junction, is in charge of arrangements.