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Mary Ann is surrounded by friends during the Celebration of Life gathering. Tribute to a Dear Friend Edgar H. “Ed” Pelletier 4-30-1925 ~ 8-15-2014 Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones Managing Publisher It is with great sadness I am faced with a challenge to say, our dear friend, husband to this magazine’s first Editor, Mary Ann, left this earth to be with the Lord on August 15, 2014. There is no one better to write this portion of this memoriam to Ed than his beloved wife, who so fondly said to him during his last hours, “We have had a wonderful 35-year journey my dear. It is okay that you go ahead now.” So I am turning this portion over to what she wrote here locally: Ed Pelletier of the Country Oaks Community in Chipley, Florida, went to be with the Lord on August 15, 2014. Born in Nashua, NH on April 30, 1925, he was raised in nearby Massachusetts where he resided until 1978. Ed moved to south Florida, where he met and married the love of his life, Mary Ann. When he retired in 1987, he and Mary Ann moved to the Country Oaks Community, where in 1995 they helped establish the Country Oaks Volunteer Fire Department. Raised a Catholic, Ed was a faith- ful servant of the Lord. Prior to his death, he was anointed by Father Dawson, the pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chipley in 1987. Ed proudly served his country as a Marine during WWII in the Central Pacific arena as a member of the VMB612 Squadron. Discharged as a Corporal, Ed and fellow WWII veterans establ ished VFW Post #10085 in Norton, MA, where he maintained a lifetime membership. He and Mary Ann attended many VMB squadron reunions from 1987 until 2008. For fifteen years, Ed served as fire chief of the Country Oaks VFD; with other volunteers, they built a modern facility with OSHA-approved apparatus Always the Marine Ed Pelletier December 2005 that services a 25 sq-mi le area in their rural community of southeast Washington County. Besides his wife, Mary Ann, of thirty- five years, Ed is survived by a daugh- ter, Judy Pelletier of Attleboro, MA; son Timothy (Barbara) Pelletier of Norton, MA; stepson Thomas (Donna) Wright of Cincinnati, OH; numerous grandchil- dren, great-grands, nieces, nephews, Mr. Penny (their cat) and many, many friends, who affectionately called him “Mr. Ed.” Family and friends will gather at the Country Oaks Community Center on Saturday, August 23rd at 2 pm for a “joyful” celebration of l ife to share memories and appreciation for some- one who never stopped giving of him- self. Sincere thanks and gratitude to the ER and ICU staffs of NFCH in Chipley for taking good care of Mr. Ed, his wife, and the many visitors during Ed’s final days. It’s comforting to know those in the medical profession are willing to extend comfort and compas- sion to those in need. We’re confident many family members and friends were present to welcome Ed at his final resting place. As this notice says, Ed gave con- stant hours to help many, including me. I have fond memories of him and Mary Ann spending hours during my run for politics, folding, stamping, and even driving me around the county down dirt roads, where he would say, “You aren’t driving ‘there’ by yourself!” Whatever needed tending to in his community, he worked at 150% and 24/7. He attended so many of the County Commissioners’ Meetings, they should have made him one! But alas, Ed was the Fire Chief and that was a love of his as well. As his fellow firemen came into his hospital room to bid their final farewells, it really touched me as they said, “Love you ‘my’ Chief.” He will be sorely missed by all of us, but God needs some good ones too. So he called our friend to help him. Suffering was not part of God’s calling. For The Lord knows he deserved much better than that. We are very proud of you “Mr. Ed”. You will not be forgotten ~ ever. Now please let me share some high- lights of Mr. Ed and Mary Ann. Always a BIG smile... Marine Corporal, Fire Chief, and Mr. Ed Extraordinaire! “God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not to be. So, He put his arms around you and whispered, Come with me... With tearful eyes...we saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating hard, Working hands were put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best...” Lest we forget... 50 OCTOBER 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®