Everett W. Peterson Jr.

SOUTH PORTLAND — Everett (Pete) W. Peterson Jr., 69, of South Portland, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston while awaiting a heart transplant. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Pete was born in Portland on Sept. 4, 1942, the son of Everett W. Sr. and Doris Christine (Gipson) Peterson. He attended local schools and graduated from Portland High School in the Class of 1960. He continued his education at the University of Southern Maine and graduated from Husson College.
On June 16, 1962, Pete married Diane G. O’Donnell. They moved to South Portland shortly thereafter, where they raised their five children. They were looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in June.

Pete worked as a manager in plant engineering for General Electric in South Portland for many years. After the GE facility closed in 1982, he purchased a commercial fishing boat and pursued his lifelong dream of fishing out of Portland Harbor, until suffering a disabling heart attack.

Pete possessed a uniquely deep appreciation for everyday life, with a gift for bringing joy to otherwise ordinary events. His first and enduring love was his family. He played an active role in the lives of his children and, later, those of his grandchildren. He attended nearly all of their school and extracurricular events, and was a fixture on the sidelines at their games. He enjoyed nothing more than a family gathering. An avid outdoorsman, Pete took great pleasure in the natural world around him, and especially relished summers at his home on Peaks Island.

Over the years, Pete was involved with Junior Achievement, hockey and football boosters, and coached his children in Sunset Park Little League. He was a longtime volunteer firefighter at Engine 6 in South Portland, until his health forced his retirement. He served on the Credit Committee at Town & County Federal Credit Union. Pete and his wife were lifelong communicants of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in South Portland, and were actively involved in local charities.
Pete was predeceased by both of his parents; a sister, Elaine Quatrano; and a brother, Ronald Peterson.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by three daughters, Cynthia Card Jr. of South Portland, Kathleen Austen of Londonderry, N.H. and Karen Peterson of Peaks Island; two sons, William Peterson of Philadelphia, Pa. and Eric Peterson of South Portland; three sisters, Christine Sweetser of Salem, Mass., Virginia Barfield of Fairport, Ala. and Rosetta Symonds of Casco; 16 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers were recited at the funeral home on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, at 9 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 611 Main St., South Portland. Burial will be private. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com

Those who wish may make contributions in Everett’s memory to: The South Portland Food Cupboard, 29 Aspen Ave., South Portland, ME 04106.