Eugene Joseph "Gene" Pelletier

Eugene ("Gene") Joseph Pelletier
Old Forge, NY
Eugene ("Gene") Joseph Pelletier, 96, of Liverpool, NY and formerly of Ormond Beach, FL and Old Forge, NY passed away at Iroquois Nursing Home on September 11, 2023.
Eugene was born in Utica, NY to Elias and Roccatella (Cavallo) Pellettieri. Yes, the spelling of his last name is different! The story is that when Gene entered the Navy, his name was entered incorrectly and he just kept it that way. He married Evelyn Conliffe on June 18, 1949 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utica, NY.
As a Seaman 1st Class Radar Striker in the US Navy, he served from 1944-1946 primarily aboard the USS Rutland (APA 192) in the Pacific Theater. As he was not of age to enter the Navy, he had to get his father's permission to enter and also was not able to complete high school. He did receive an honorary degree from Liverpool High School, some 70 years later, in recognition of his service.
Gene retired from GTE/Verizon where he was a telephone repairman for many years. He installed many telephones in Old Forge and the surrounding areas, and repaired many downed lines during numerous storms (most times having to get to these jobs via snowmobile or boat). He served as Town Justice for the Town of Webb during the 1960's. Eugene was active in the Old Forge Fire Department (being one of the "original" BINGO callers!), the Covey Pashley American Legion Post 893 (cooking many pots of clam chowder!), and the Knights of Columbus. He also was one of the Polar Bears at the Winter Carnivals as he was, supposedly, the only one who could fit into the costume. Hosting Sunday pool parties was a common event along with the annual softball tournaments where his brother Vinnie would bring teams down from Saranac and Tupper Lake for a weekend takeover.
He is survived by his daughters Paula (Thomas) Masuicca of Lorton, VA, Patricia (John) Duffy of Liverpool, NY, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and friends from New York and Florida and all places in between during his 96 years. He was predeceased by his wife Evelyn (Peggy), son Peter and Brothers Vincent and Richard.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 15, 2023, 11 am, at St. Bartholomew's Church, Old Forge, NY. There are no public calling hours. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the Funeral Mass. Burial with military honors will follow at Riverview Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Old Forge Fire Department, PO Box 1170, Old Forge, NY 13420 or Honor Flight Syracuse: https://honorflightsyracuse.org/donate-online/
For online expressions of sympathy please go to www.dimblebyfh.com