Maurice Pelletier of Augusta was among those honored at the State House Wednesday for his induction into the Franco-American Hall of Fame.
Pelletier, 75, has been a member of Le Club Calumet in Augusta for 48 years, was one of the founding members of the Friends for a Heritage Center at Mill Park and spent 28 years working at the VA Maine Health Care Systems-Togus, where he was a benefit adviser. After retirement, he worked part time as a volunteer driver coordinator for the Disabled American Veterans and currently volunteers at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta.
Pelletier also is a member of St. Michael Parish in Augusta.
Also inducted into the hall of fame, officially the Pantheon des Franco Americains, were Don Cyr of Aroostook County, Doris Belisle-Bonneau of Androscoggin County, George Lamontagne of York County, Joseph Cyr of Penobscot County and Roland Ouellete, who was nominated posthumously.
Rep. Matt Pouliot, R-Augusta, served as House speaker during the day’s events.
“I’m humbled to serve as speaker pro tem in honor of such an important day,” Pouliot said in a press release issued by Democrats and Republicans. “My hope is that people across Maine will take the time to learn more about our state’s rich Franco-American heritage and how it has helped to shape Maine.”
This is the 14th year state lawmakers have set aside a day for special recognition for Franco-Americans.
“Franco-American Day is a wonderful tradition at the State House,” said Rep. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, the House chairman of the Franco-American Caucus. “We are very pleased that so many Mainers joined us in this joyful celebration. It gives us all — whether we’re of French descent or not — a chance to recognize the contributions of Franco-Americans to Maine’s rich cultural heritage.”
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