Obituary: Ronald “Ron-Ronnie” E. Pelletier
Ronald “Ron‑Ronnie” E. Pelletier, 88, Remembered for a Life of Faith, Service and Peanut Brittle
Orr’s Island, Maine – The island’s community mourns the loss of Ronald “Ron‑Ronnie” E. Pelletier, who passed peacefully in his home on September 20, 2026. A lifelong resident of the island’s quiet streets, Ron had lived there with his beloved wife, Irene, for the past six years after a long life of service, business, and devotion to family.
Born in Topsham on April 16, 1938, Ron was the son of Emile and Leona Burbee Pelletier. He graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn in 1957 before answering the call to serve his country. From 1959 to 1965 he was stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, where he began a lifelong fascination with automobiles that would shape his career.
After leaving the Army, Ron turned his passion for cars and trucks into a business, owning and operating transmission shops across Virginia, Florida, and Arkansas. His work ethic and integrity earned him a reputation among peers as a reliable and skilled mechanic.
Beyond the garage, Ron was known for his deep faith and generosity. “His belief in the Lord was evident in the way he lived,” recalled a longtime friend. “He was always ready to help others, and his generosity touched many lives.” A devout Christian, Ron spent his free time serving his church community and sharing his love for peanut brittle—a homemade treat he made from peanuts he would bring back from Virginia and share with anyone who stopped by.
Ron’s family life was equally rich. He and Irene, whom he met in high school, shared a love that spanned decades. Their partnership produced four children: Anne‑Marie, Jeffrey, Lisa (Brasch), and Mary Ann (Moser). The family also welcomed stepchildren Lisa and her husband Roger Aube, Paula Malin, and D. Jayson with wife Hollie Crowell Thibault. Ron’s brother, Maurice, lived in Kentucky, while numerous grandchildren and great‑grandchildren scattered across the region added to the family’s legacy.
The family also cherishes a special bond with Ron’s niece, Anna Sliger, and nephew, Maurice Jr. His parents, Emile and Leona, as well as siblings Barbara, Gene, and Sherman, predeceased him.
A service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Daigle Funeral Home on High Street in Bath. The burial, complete with military honors, will take place at Orr’s Island Cemetery, followed by a gathering at the Bailey Island Library Hall.
Condolences and messages can be sent through the funeral home’s website at DaigleFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to People Plus, a local charity supporting the elderly, at PeoplePlusMaine.org. A donation to Bowdoin College is also encouraged, as the institution’s sponsorship underscores the community’s commitment to informing and supporting each other.
Ronald “Ron‑Ronnie” E. Pelletier will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his skillful hands, and the simple, sweet joy of sharing peanut brittle with friends and strangers alike. His legacy of service, love, and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
