Joseph Pelletier Sr. ... led local Toys for Tots drive; at 88

DOVER - Joseph F. Pelletier, Sr. of Dover, died at the age of 88 on Tuesday May 13, 2025, after a brief stay the Highpoint Hospice House in Haverhill, MA.
Born March 26, 1937, in Walpole, MA, the son of Emile and Marie (Fournier) Pelletier. He was Married for 65 ½ years to the love of his life Joanne (Dietzel) Pelletier.
He is survived by his wife Joanne (Dietzel) Pelletier of Dover, NH; his children Katherine Chiasson and husband David of Newburyport, MA, Joseph F. Pelletier, Jr. and wife Jennie of North Billerica, MA; and; his two sisters Rose Straehl of NH; and Theresa Smith of AZ; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his siblings Omer, Florence, Hector, Helene, Raymond and Claire.
Mr Pelletier had a MBA from Fitchburg State College and was an Industrial Arts teacher for the town of Medway, MA for 40 years. During this time he taught mechanical drafting, woodworking and metals, and was responsible for introducing a new method of teaching. He created a shed building effort to pay for the new construction methods program. He was, also, a drivers Ed teacher for 10 years.
He was "that teacher" who made an impact on your life that you always remember. He was class advisor for the classes of 1981 and 1984 and teacher of the year in 1981. At 80 years old he was still in touch with over 1600 Facebook friends that were past students from over his 40 years of teaching.
In retirement he continued his passion for wood working by hand making children's toys with close friends. He freely shared this passion with his community and ended up leading a toy making team that created, built and delivered over 5000 toys for Toys for Tots over the last 10 years, all from a workshop that was set up in his garage. His contagious joy and love led to his community becoming involved with the effort through donations of wood, knitted blankets and stuffed animals. Toys were distributed from Dover and Rochester NH to Maine and Florida.
Mr Pelletier loved singing. He started a singing club at Maple Suites, sang in his church, and even at family gatherings where songs would start, triggered by conversations. During his last days on earth he could still be heard singing to his wife.
Mr Pelletier lived life to the fullest. His love of people, joy of sharing and helping others, contagious laugh and kindness will be a life long legacy felt by those whose lives he touched.
The love and support demonstrated by his friends over the years, speaks volumes to the man we all knew and the impact he had on anyone he met. His passions translated into amazing legacies and he will be missed.