Rene E. Pelletier, 94, of Swansea, passed away on Sunday, March 25, 2018, at Charlton Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He was the husband of the late Estelle M. (Gagnon) Pelletier. Born in Fall River, a son of the late Martial P. & Rebecca E. (Donais) Pelletier, he lived in Swansea most of his life. Mr. Pelletier was employed as a machinist at the former Brown & Sharpe, in Providence and North Kingstown, RI, for 40 years, retiring in 1979. An Army veteran of World War II, he saw action in Rhineland and Central Europe with Company E 36 ^th Armored Infantry Regiment. A longtime member of the Bishop Cassidy Council Knights of Columbus in Swansea, he had also participated in their bowling and golf leagues for many years.

Rene enjoyed travelling, with Niagara Falls always being a preferred destination for him and his wife, with whom he had enjoyed 62 years of marriage prior to her passing in 2011. They would often venture out on the road at a moment's notice, say, to Virginia, and then decide to swing by Niagara Falls on the return leg, as though it was on their way home – for never too far out of the way was a trip to their favorite vacation spot.

Rene was also a voracious reader, and a great story teller. In fact, throughout any given round of golf he had the rare talent of being able to regale fellow players with lengthy tales, so riveting as to not even cause distraction while listeners performed their own golf swings, unperturbed.

He is survived by: two daughters, Linda Suzman (husband Fredric) of Rehoboth, and Carol Pelletier of Swansea; three grandchildren, Neil Pelletier, Sarah Suzman, and Rebecca Suzman; and several nieces and nephews. Also father of the late Lawrence R. Pelletier, and brother of the late Jeanne Murphy, George Pelletier, and Edmond Pelletier.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, April 3rd, in St. Dominic's Church followed by his committal with military honors at Mount Hope Cemetery in Swansea.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider making a donation in Rene's memory to the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association, P. O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005, 800-242-8721, www.donatenow.heart.org