GARDINER - Clarence Joseph Pelletier, Sr., 89, of Gardiner, Maine, left us for his eternal home on Saturday, April 19th, 2025. Born on March 20th, 1936, in Otis, MA, Clarence was a beacon of love and compassion who brought joy and comfort to many. His life radiated the virtues of kindness, dedication, and love for others. Clarence was a man who believed in the power of a well-lived life, and his legacy serves as a testament to that belief. Clarence was a self-employed construction professional who was renowned for his meticulous craftsmanship. He took great pleasure in building corn hole boards, a pastime he adored. His garage, where he spent many cherished hours, was a sanctuary of creativity and hard work. Clarence was also a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus, where he ascended to the rank of a 4th degree knight. His commitment to service was further demonstrated by his involvement with the Chrysalis Place, also known as the Gardiner Food Bank, where he served his community for many years. For his years of dedicated service, Clarence was honored with the Spirit of America award, which is a tremendous accomplishment. Clarence was a devout Catholic, serving as a Eucharistic minister, a lector, and a key organizer of the Christmas baskets for St. Joseph Church. His faith in God was unwavering, and he lived by the verse, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). Above all, what mattered most to Clarence was his family and his faith. He was a loving husband to his late wife, Catherine Pelletier, and a dedicated father to his five children, Audrey Stevens (David), Rhonda Dobson (Mark), Clarence PelletierJr. (Janie), Bill Pelletier (Lori), & Cathy Duquette (Eric). Being a Papa was one of the greatest joys in his life. He loved spending time with each grandchild and supporting them at every event. You could always find Clarence in the bleachers at basketball games, in the audience at plays, and at every award ceremony. He was a loving Papa to Christopher, Brian, Scott, Joey, Jadyn, Katie, Sarah, Ryan, Megan, Rusty, Becky, Nicole, and Hayden. Clarence also had immense love for his many great-grandchildren. The great-grandchildren include Reilly, Logan, Aspen, Molly, Emma, Bentley, Sydney, Raelyn, Oakleigh, Sawyer, Brady, Addie, Tanner, Logan, Barrett, Jackson, Blair, Carson, and Julian. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave, Gardiner. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Gardiner, burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Gardiner. In honor of Clarence, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos of him to his memorial page at www.staplesfuneralhome.com. His life was a testament to the power of love, faith, and selflessness, and we are sure that your stories will serve as a comfort to all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, we ask you to make a donation to the Chrysalis Place to honor his memory. Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.