Eagle Lake--Bernard (Barney) Pelletier :  Barney was born on August 6, 1940, the youngest child of Leo M. and Roseanna (Michaud) Pelletier.  He went to be with our Lord on January 4, 2021.  He was an awesome husband, a loving father, and a student-devoted principal and teacher.  He leaves behind his loving wife, Theresa (Tee) Pelletier, their cherished "little girl" Holly Pelletier and her partner and best friend, Jason Wedel, Barney's sister Leonette and her husband Norm, and many loving relatives and friends.  Barn has always had a special love for the Theriault family. I  want to thank you for visiting Barney and showing your concern whenever you could.  It made both of our hearts feel extremely happy and fulfilled when you visited, called or showed your love thorough special prayer intentions.  Many thanks to Betty and Richard, Steve and Terry, Ricky and Kristen, Mark and Erin, Brittany, Austin, Jordan and Jana, Riki Lynn, Joy, Nicholas, Jonathan, and Jacob.  Barney once asked if Steve could say the Mass at his passing, but when informed he was not a priest,  I told him Steve would still have an important role in the Mass, and that satisfied him.  Barn also had a  fondness in his heart for Diane and Joe Deprey.  Barney lived in and loved the small town of Eagle Lake and resided there all of his life.  As a youngster, he attended Eagle Lake Schools, graduated from Fort Kent Community High School, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Maine at Fort Kent.  He went on to earn his Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Maine at Orono.  As an outstanding scholar, Barney was interviewed by the Ford Foundation and earned a one-year fellowship program, scouting and training American Grassroots Leaders.  The results of his report are published in a book entitled Left-Handed Fastballers , written by David Nevin. His teaching career gave him personal experiences with kindergarteners through college-level students.  He taught School Law, Constitutional Rights, and Student Life and the Constitution of American Education at UMFK.  In 1969 he became the principal of the largest K-8 elementary school in the state of Maine, housing 1,000 students.  He remained in that position for 20 years.  From there Barney took on teaching-principal positions at St. Francis Elementary School and Eagle Lake Elementary School.  He had come full circle.  He was known for leaving home with his pants pockets loaded with change, especially when working in the smaller schools, so he could finance the after-school appetites of the students who loved to watch the ball games but couldn't afford the vending machines or didn't have money to buy soda, popcorn, brownies, and other baked goods.  He was kind, selfless, and always came to bat for the underdog.  He was involved in education for all the right reasons! Barney was presented a Special Award of Commendation from then Governor Baldacci of Maine.  His school had received a call from a concerned mother that an armed Dad was headed to the school to get his son and he could not be stopped.  Barney quickly loaded staff and students onto the bus, and they were driven from harm's way.  He was a brilliant, quick-thinking man, who saved many lives from what could have been a catastrophe.  This was long before school shootings began in the United States, and a tragedy had been calmly avoided way up here in the North Woods of Maine!  Bernard was an active member of his church through fund-raising activities, the choir, and the parish council.  He was a member of the Eagle Lake Development Corporation and the Planning Board.  Barney was also a proud member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and served the court as State Chief Ranger and State Chief Treasurer.  When life slowed down a bit he became an active and successful real estate agent in Aroostook County. Barney was gifted in so many ways.  His life was one of continued learning, meeting new people, and devoting time to his family and friends.  He loved hunting and fishing and taking his family and friends out boating every Sunday afternoon for picnics and swimming at Mad Rock on the shore of Eagle Lake.  Weekend vacations were always in his plans.  Jon and Holly always brought a friend or two along for the ride, and Mim and Rod were always welcomed to tag along. Although Barn faced devastating losses and sorrow in his life, he always found the strength to assure us that everything would turn out just right, that we'd be OK.  In 2003 Barney got an early diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease.  Years later he was diagnosed with Dementia, and that was the first time I ever saw discouragement in those beautiful, always optimistic eyes.  Although both diseases were debilitating, he finally succumbed to Covid-19.  To those of you who still have not convinced yourselves of the intensity of this killer virus, think again, and take precautions. Barney was predeceased by his Mom and Dad, two brothers, Gerald and Leonard, his sister- in- law, Colette, his nephew Keith St. Germain and many other family members and friends.  The greatest sorrow this tender-hearted man ever endured was the accidental death of his ten-year-old stepson Jon in 1986.  He reconciled himself to remaining strong for the family as we all struggled through the horror of losing a healthy, young child.  He was our strength against all weakness and distress. His heart was shattered, but he put our needs first. I thank God for the years I have spent with my best friend, my love, my soulmate.  Mostly I thank God and Mercy Home for giving me the opportunity of being with him as he passed from this life with all its sorrows and crazy times to the beauty of eternity with the Lord.  After almost eleven months I held his hand, rubbed his head and face, his arms and legs, his chest, and I talked non-stop of the glories of God and how his disabilities would disappear.  He'd be made perfect again, as the Lord has promised, no trouble thinking, talking, walking, or eating, just plain perfect!    Barney passed peacefully, still holding my hand, with his beautiful eyes staring at something beyond me.  Rest in peace, my handsome husband and best friend, I have loved you always and will forever.  No more struggles, just unbelievable joy!  Until we meet again, all my love, my Barn! We will have a Mass to celebrate the kindness, love, and wondrous accomplishments of Barney's life in late Spring or early Summer.  Hopefully, the coronavirus will be more under control than it is now, and friends, past students, school staff members, and nursing home staff will be able to celebrate with our family.  Notices will be posted closer to that time. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to one on the following: The St. John Vianney Food Pantry; Research Organizations for Parkinson's Disease ℅ Michael J. Fox; Alzheimer's and Dementia Research. Thank you for your love and concern. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lajoie-Daigle Funeral Home.