It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Jerry Pelletier, the esteemed James McGill Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry and Oncology at McGill University and a prominent member of The Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute. Jerry passed away peacefully after a battle with cancer on September 17th, 2023 that he fought bravely to the last day, at the age of 64, embraced by his devoted family.
Born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Dr. Jerry Pelletier was raised an army brat, cherished by his parents, Lucie (nee Nöel) and the late Armand, and his siblings Mike (Sophia Kicak) and Lyne (Kent Peirson). Though frequent relocations posed challenges during his younger years, they enriched him with diverse cultural experiences. His profound passion for nature, biology, and space exploration was nurtured by both parents.
Upon completing his BSc in Biochemistry at McGill University, Jerry embarked on his doctoral journey in the same institution, earning his PhD in 1988 under the guidance of Dr. Nahum Sonenberg. He furthered his expertise as a postdoctoral fellow at MIT in the Cancer Center, in the laboratory of Dr. David Housman from 1989-1991.
Returning to Montreal in August 1991, Jerry became a member of the faculty in the Department of Biochemistry at McGill University, rising to the rank of full professor by 2002. His research ambitiously tackled eukaryotic protein synthesis, RNA motifs linked to diseases, and gene expression variations during cellular transformation. Jerry never stopped seeking new scientific knowledge and gained invaluable expertise in functional genetics during his sabbatical in the laboratory of Dr. Scott Lowe at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories in 2009. His significant contributions laid the groundwork for innovative treatments for several ailments, notably cancer. Recognized for his profound impact in the field, he was honored as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2017 and was the proud recipient of the 2019 Robert L. Noble Prize.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Jerry was a dedicated practitioner of Kyokushin karate for over a decade, earning his black belt on May 30th, 2015. The tenets of Kyokushin resonated with him, mirroring the rigorous commitment and resilience required in academia. A passionate stamp collector, he focused on themes of natural habitat and species conservation - two issues that were very much a concern to him. Jerry cherished canoe-camping excursions and relaxed Friday evenings sharing beers with students, colleagues, and friends.
Above all, Jerry was the anchor of his family - a devoted husband to Muriel Chamoux, a model father to Fiona (Mateo Stabio), Dylan and Eric, and an adored grandfather to Leo and Luca. He took much pride in his kid's achievements, and the immense support that his wife provided throughout their journey together.
Jerry's innate kindness and humility remain his defining traits. An icon of the scientific world, he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and educate for generations to come.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to members of Jerry's laboratory, colleagues, and friends for their invaluable support to Jerry and his laboratory during the last year, as well as their continued assistance and dedication.
A memorial service in Jerry's honor will take place at the Mont Royal Funeral Complex on October 6th, 2023, at 1pm. For those unable to attend in person, the service will also be streamed online at https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/79685. The Pelletier family kindly asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Memory Fund for Jerry Pelletier supporting cancer research in his memory at https://www.alumni.mcgill.ca/give/index.php?new=1&giftCode=09068