Fort William’s First Nation celebrates retirement of Victor Pelletier

By Rick Garrick

FORT WILLIAM — Fort William’s Victor Pelletier recently retired on August 31 after serving for 34 years as a deacon with St. Anne’s parish in Fort William and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Thunder Bay.

“It’s a good feeling and it’s not a good feeling because you don’t want to quit,” Pelletier says, noting that he is now 84-years-old. “You want to keep on going, just carry on. But there’s days I might not feel good so I’ve just got to lay back.”

Pelletier credits his father for his involvement with St. Anne’s parish and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Thunder Bay.

“He started his day off with prayer and ended it in prayer and that’s where everything came to me like that,” Pelletier says. “I wasn’t expecting to be ordained but I was asked if I would be a candidate to be an ordained deacon.”

Pelletier says he and his wife Maureen Pelletier always did everything together.

“A lot of times, I had to go to her for advice,” Pelletier says. “I had to get tobacco, give it to her, so this is how I lived that life with her.”

Maureen says life will be different now that Victor is retiring.

“We’re so used to helping all the time,” Maureen says. “A lot of people come to us for guidance and prayer, especially in the hospice.”

Maureen says they were together all the time.

Fort William Elder Rita Fenton offered congratulations to Victor for his 34 years of service in the community.

“Congratulations to a very hard working member of the community, [he was] very involved with the church for many years,” Fenton says. “He was always there for people, going to visit and take communion for the people and baptizing. He worked very hard for his retirement and I hope he enjoys his retirement.”

Fort William Elder Gene Bannon presented Victor with a plaque on behalf of St. Anne’s parish during his retirement celebration, which was held at the Fort William First Nation Community Centre.

“It represents what we feel from our community and we also say it represents the thanks [for] what Victor has been doing for us — it’s been great,” Elder Bannon says. “Victor has served us, looking after baptisms, looking after us for Holy Communion, even looking after funerals and we all appreciate that.”

Fort William Councillor Sherry Pelletier also presented Victor with a painting on behalf of Fort William Chief and Council.

“It was a pleasure having him as our deacon and our Elder,” Sherry says. “I know Victor has held the community together a lot and we’re hoping our church will continue to function throughout the years.”

Father Gerry McDougall, pastor at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Fort William, says Victor’s retirement is like a new day for him.

“It was a wonderful celebration,” Father McDougall says. “Deacon Victor has been just a joy to work with over these last four years, and I don’t see him retiring completely. I think he’ll always be around to help. As Gene Bannon said, he has a real gentle leadership.”

Fort William Chief Michele Solomon says she was happy for Victor on his retirement.

“He has served the community in the role of Elder and deacon for about 34 years,” Solomon says. “He is, of course, getting older and ready to step back a little bit, but he has assured us he is still willing to do some work in the community, so I’m really happy for him and his family.”