Author: Boston Prime Timers

Obituary for Norman Pelletier

Norman Pelletier, 78, a resident of Andover, MA, passed away on Monday, July 11, 2022. The son of the late Gerard and Alice (Demers) Pelletier, he was born and raised in Lawrence, MA, graduating from Lawrence High School with the class of 1961. Norman was the loving husband of Charlotte (Adams) Pelletier to whom he was married for almost 50 years. He was also loving father to his son Andy of Lawrence and predeceased by his sons Stephen and Jason Pelletier. Norman is also survived by his siblings Raymond Pelletier of Las Vegas, NV and Therese Stevens and her husband Alan of Milford, NH and was predeceased by Roland and Jackie. Norman is also survived by three grandchildren who reside in South Carolina.

After high school, Norman worked at Malden Mills before he began a career in banking. He first worked at Lawrence Savings Bank and then several other local banks for many years. He was also a carrier for the Eagle Tribune Newspaper in his neighborhood where he made great friends with most all of his newspaper customers. That’s the type of person Norman was, easy to talk to and happy to help anyone in need. More recently he was employed by the Andover Thrift Shop for Christ Church for over 10 years where he served the community and also made great friendships with such an amazing group of loving people.

Norman loved life and enjoyed visiting the beaches of Maine in the summer. He was always attending social events with his best friend James Garrity who passed away in June of 2022. Norman loved to dance. Years ago, he was a dance instructor at Fred Astaire Studios. He was also a parishioner and Eucharistic minister at Saint Michaels Parish in North Andover MA. Norman will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 18, 2022, at 11:30 A.M. in St. Michael’s Church, 196 Main St., North Andover, MA. Burial will take place at a later date. Relatives and friends are invited to call prior to the Mass from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 35 Merrimack St., North Andover, MA. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to breenfuneralhome.com.

Wake (9-11 A.M., Monday, July 18th)

Funeral Mass (11:30 A.M., July 18th)

Café Emmanuel Reopening on February 3rd

From our friends at Ethos:

I am excited to announce that Café Emmanuel will be reopening for lunch beginning next Thursday, February 3rd, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to meals@ethocare.org or (617) 939-1728 by 4:00 pm Tuesday, February 1st.

We hope to see you there!

Warmly,

Krystal Kilhart

Café Emmanuel is a weekly luncheon for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Seniors and their friends. It features a rich entertainment program that follows each meal, including recitals from the New England Conservatory and Boston Conservatory as well as, a wide variety of guest speakers.

Café Emmanuel is at Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury Street, Boston, MA.

Frederick Joseph Riley 
(1932-2021)

“Beloved Husband and Lifelong Advocate for Gay Rights”

Frederick Joseph Riley, 89 of Lowell, passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Lowell General Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Emile Edouard Dufour with whom he shared the past 35 years.

He was born in Lynn, MA on November 7, 1932 and was a son of the late Joseph Frederick Riley and the late Catherine (Ellard) Riley. He was raised in central Massachusetts where he attended the area schools. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served his country for a number of years before his honorable discharge. After his service, he attended Rhode Island School of Design on the GI Bill.

Fred was employed as an engineer at Raytheon for over 30 years before his retirement. He enjoyed art and was a member of the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell and was a supporter of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre. He also enjoyed antiquing and was a friend of Bill W. for over 35 years.

Fred was a lifelong advocate for gay rights and with his husband, was one of the first gay marriages in Massachusetts, married for the past 17 years. Together they co-founded Greater Lowell Equality Alliance. He was also a longtime member of the Boston Prime Timers.

In 2007, Fred and Emile were both interviewed for a front page article in the New York Times entitled “Aging and Gay and Facing Prejudice in Twilight.” Additionally, in 2015 they were the subject of a short documentary entitled Fred and Emile which was a co-production of Image Theater and Breaking Branches Pictures produced by Jerry Bisantz and Ann Garvin.

In addition to his beloved husband, Emile Edouard Dufour of Lowell, he is survived by his sons, Jay Riley of Hollywood, Florida, Paul Riley and his wife, Robin, of Fort Madison, Iowa and Brian Riley of Keokyk, Iowa. He is also survived by his former wife Virginia Riley of Fort Madison, Iowa.

He was also the father of the late Kevin Riley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 50 E Merrimack St, Lowell, MA 01852, and Whistler House, 243 Worthen St, Lowell, MA 01852.

In accordance with Fred’s wishes funeral services have been omitted. Arrangements by McDonough Funeral Home, (978) 458-6816, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852. Please visit McDonoughFuneralHome.com to leave the family a message of condolence.

View the online memorial for Frederick Joseph Riley

Holiday Party, 1 PM, Saturday December 11th @ Club Café

Gentlemen,

As usual, there will be no meeting in December. The Holiday Party will be at Club Café on December 11th at 1 PM. Once again, the dinner is $30, although this time we ask that you pay at the door (card, cash, check) and RSVP to either contact@bostonpt.org or (617) 286-4440 before December 9th so we can give Club Café a headcount of everyone attending.

Do not forget to bring your vaccination card or a picture of it on your phone.

Please specify if you want/require a vegetarian option.

Club Café requests that you do not come excessively early. The meal will not be served before 1:30 PM and you will not be admitted to the back room until after paying at 1 PM.

We look forward to seeing you Saturday for the Holiday Party!

Thanksgiving dinner, 2 PM, Saturday November 20th @ Club Café

Gentlemen,

As usual, there will be no meeting in November. The Thanksgiving dinner will be at Club Café on November 20th at 2 PM.  As usual, the dinner is $30, although this time we ask that you pay at the door (card, cash, check) and RSVP to either contact@bostonpt.org or (617) 286-4440 before November 16th so we can give Club Café a headcount of everyone attending.

Do not forget to bring your vaccination card or a picture of it on your phone.

Please specify if you want/require a vegetarian option.

We look forward to seeing you Saturday for Thanksgiving dinner!

Sunday, September 26 @ 10 AM, Boston AIDS Walk

Support the Boston AIDS Walk at DCR’s Carson Beach in South Boston!

The Boston Prime Timers have for many, many years supported this important gay community event and we continue this traditional support this year. Over the years, BPT have raised over $26,000 for this more than worthy cause that is so important to our community. Last year 25 BPT members pledged $1,310 exceeding our goal of $1,000. This includes the generous contribution of $100 made by the BPT Board. Hopefully, we can match or even exceed last year’s donations. 

AIDS Walk Donation Website

Please Donate: choose a suggested donation amount or enter your desired amount (the default is $50 but just type over it). ANY AND ALL DONATIONS OF ANY AMOUNT ARE APPRECIATED — WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU!

Or, send a check made out to Boston 2021 AIDS Walk – put Boston Prime Timers Team in the note space on the check and mail it to Coley Kelly, 6 Evergreen Trail, Milton, MA 02186 (BPT Office is still closed).

Join Helder Lemos and Coley Kelly and others for the Walk at the new location – DCR’s Carson Beach (125 William J. Day Blvd.) in South Boston. Please contact Helder or Coley for details on where we will meet up prior to the Walk which starts at 10:00 AM. The site provides for plenty of free parking and is accessible by MBTA subway and bus.

Many thanks to all who have so generously contributed to the AIDS Walk in the past. We hope you can contribute again this year. Stay safe and well.

For more information, go to www.aidswalkboston.org (or bostonpt.org/walk) or contact Prime Timers Helder Lemos (401-440-5200) helder28@aol.com or Coley Kelly (617-680-1901) columcsk@msn.com.

Get the flyer to share or post!

Free parking will be available at the Boston Teachers Union (180 Mt Vernon St, Dorchester, MA 02125) and Corcoran Jennison Management (150 Mt Vernon St, Dorchester, MA 02125) lots.