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People who knew John Pinsonneault and were touched by his unique presence began to come to terms with his tragic death, Sunday night, during a memorial service in the North Branch High School gym.

Pinsonneault, 39, former North Branch mayor and respected community member, died in an explosion in Baghdad October 14.

He was laid to rest at Fort Snelling Monday.

The two-hour memorial was a time for lifelong friends and recent acquaintances to buoy each other’s spirits and bid farewell to Pinsonneault.

The memorial service began with dimmed lighting in the half-gym and a sequence of photo images of Pinsonneault’s life projected on a large screen. The bleachers and chairs on the gym floor filled with a few hundred visitors and the service began with everyone singing “Amazing Grace.”

The pastor shared how Pinsonneault had demonstrated courage, strength and commitment to his community, to his family and to his country first serving as a Marine-- and most recently as a private contractor in Iraq.

The pastor described Pinsonneault as a “great example to us all.”

A representative from the U.S. State Department stood at the podium and spoke of Pinsonneault as the “consummate professional.” He said Pinsonneault, although working in Iraq outside the military, was an important part of the security team.

His four children spoke.

A daughter who had played on a state tournament softball team that Pinsonneault coached, explained an exercise her “pops” did to build team unity. At the start of a season he gave each team member a marble and before games the marbles would be put together by all the team members.

The children put marbles into a cloth bag and set them on Pinsonneault’s casket.

Then came the testimonials and remembrances of Pinsonneault.

Beginning the open microphone portion was North Branch High School Principal Dr. Trok, who said Pinsonneault was a role model and a welcome addition to the school community for his athletic and parental contributions.

Said Trok, ”He made this high school a better place.”

Many young people who had been on teams that Pinsonneault coached spoke about his impact on their lives. They shared funny stories and poignant moments they had with Coach P.

Family friend Pam Watters read the final e-mail she’d received from Pinsonneault six days before he died.

In it he stressed his belief that there was much work ahead to aid the Iraqi people. He said it is apparent standing at a mass gravesite, for example, that the Iraqi people have suffered such oppression; but he said he continues to find gratitude and hope in the faces of the Iraqis.

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Memorial contributions may be donated to the John Pinsonneault Sports Scholarship Fund in care of the Community National Bank, 5481 St. Croix Trail, North Branch, MN 55056.

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