Philip J. Pelletier ’83
Philip Jude Pelletier, 63, of Hampton, New Hampshire, passed away unexpectedly on the evening of Friday, June 14, 2024, due to complications related to Parkinson’s Disease.
Phil was born in Brunswick, Maine, on December 24, 1960, to George and Doris (Bouchard) Pelletier. He was raised in Topsham, Maine with his 10 siblings and attended St. John’s School and Mt. Ararat High School. Phil received his Bachelor’s Degree in Science in Marine Engineering in 1983 from Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine.
Upon graduating he worked as a merchant marine shipping out with Reynolds Aluminum for two years. After experiencing an engine room fire where he saved 2 people’s lives he decided to retire from shipping and went to work as an engineer at Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant in Seabrook NH. After the death of his father, he purchased the Pelletier family home in Topsham and went to work at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. He reconnected with a lifelong friend, Kristine Rich, fell in love and married in August 1989. Soon after marrying he was hired by General Electric relocating them to Albany, NY for training. It was there they were blessed with their firstborn son, Jacob George in May 1991. Phil took his first position as a mechanical engineer moving them to North Andover, MA and welcomed 2 more children Kyle Read and Alexa Lorraine. They settled in Hampton, NH. He spent his entire 31-year career working in various roles from the Medford service center, retiring in April 2021. Phil was brilliant and served in various roles/capacities for GE. He made and maintained lifelong friendships throughout his career and was diligent in his professional life which extended to his personal relationships.
Phil was a master builder which he learned from his father. He personally transformed their house in Hampton, completing unfinished rooms and made it into a beautiful home. Phil and Kris spent 27 years in that house, where they were surrounded with a close-knit neighborhood and community establishing lifelong friendships. He was a lover of golf, all things New England sports, and above all else put his family first. He was active in his kids’ sports activities and never missed the opportunity to teach them a life lesson. He led by example – whether on the field or court, physical activity, or being the first to open a good bottle of red wine.
Phil had an unmatched sense of humor. He was quick-witted and always the last one to give a one-liner.
Phil is survived by his wife, Kristine, of 35 years, his children, Jacob (Emily) Pelletier, Kyle Pelletier, and Alexa Pelletier; his grandchildren, Brayden and Alison Pelletier; his brothers Dennis (Margaret) Pelletier, Steve (Fran) Pelletier, Bernie (Karen) Pelletier, Peter (Barbara) Pelletier, Jon (Karen) Pelletier, and sisters Linda Mitchell, Prisca Bridges, Lois Raymond, and Paula Gadson. Brother-in-law, Gregory Rich, Brother- and Sister-in-law, Morten & Jennifer Andersen, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father, George, and mother, Doris, sister Christina Coulombe, father-in-law Read Rich, and mother-in-law Lorraine (Ethier) Rich.
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