John Pelletier (RCAF, MWO Ret.), husband of Dorothy Pelletier (nee Novitsky), father to Jeff, Kevin (Michel, Gabrielle, Bernadette, Veronique), and Dale (Jenny), brother-in-law, godfather, gānbā, uncle, and dear friend to many, passed away, with family by his side, January 16, 2026.
John (Jack) was born to Emery and Mary Margaret Pelletier on November 21, 1931, in Hull Quebec. He was brother to Margaret, Anne (Gilbert), Anthony George / Lanny (Claire), Brian (Joan) and Patrick Terence / Terry (Edwige).
John loved to reminisce about his idyllic childhood days – roughhousing on the hockey and lacrosse rinks and besting hitters with his left-handed pitches. But John also drew strength from a strong sense of family and his strong Christian faith. While not yet a teenager, he helped his family by proudly using his bike to deliver ice blocks to customers in central Ottawa and then delivering telegrams as a bike messenger. In June 1947, John was an alter boy during the Marian Congress in Ottawa ON. Lansdowne Park was temporarily transformed into an outdoor church (Repository) and John provided alter service assistance, over several days, to over 250,000 attendees.
In 1950, John joined the RCAF. In 1951, he met the love of his life, Dorothy. Dorothy, originally from Cochrane ON, moved to Ottawa to attend Willis Business College. While living on Booth Street with her sister Jo, she met John. John, urged on by his grandfather to court Dorothy, succeeded in stealing her heart. Dorothy and John married in 1954 and spent many years travelling and living on European and Canadian military bases. Their final posting brought them back to Ottawa where, for the past 50 years, they happily resided in the neighbourhood of Beacon Hill.
John and Dorothy were fixtures in the neighbourhood - touring around on their bicycle-built-for-two, polka / two-stepping their way back home after ballroom dancing classes and taking the gang out on bowling and cross-country ski excursions. Spending time with family and friends at the house and at the lake and watching baseball were all of John’s favourite things. During his best years, John liked nothing more than to sit on his front porch, talk to all, share a beer or two, and give the local dogs and cats a friendly scratch behind their ears.
What is a great life? I think that John has shown us the secret.
The family would especially like to send a special thank you to the nurses and doctors at Monfort Hospital who provided compassionate and caring medical support. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Monfort Hospital Foundation. And a special thank you to Fathers Rob, Dan, and Sebastian for their spiritual support and prayers.
John will be interred at Beechwood Cemetery. A funeral mass will be held May 21 at Annunciation of the Lord, and this will be followed by a gravesite service and a Celebration of Life at Beechwood Cemetery. People interested in attending the spring service, please RSVP to dotandjack1954@gmail.com.
Dad’s regular nighttime salutation was …. ‘Schlafen Sie gut.’ Goodnight and sweet dreams to you also.
Our deepest condolences to Mr. Pelletier's family and loved ones. The Montfort Foundation thanks you kindly for your donations in his memory. Nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux proches de M. Pelletier. La Fondation Montfort vous remercie du fond du coeur pour vos dons en sa mémoire.