Everett Webster Peterson, Jr

SOUTH PORTLAND - Everett (Pete) W. Peterson, Jr., 69, of Coach Road, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 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, Maine on September 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 and her husband Douglas Card, Jr. of South Portland, Kathleen and her husband Douglas Austen of Londonderry, NH, Karen Peterson and her husband Kevin Rocque of Peaks Island; two sons, William and his wife Molly Peterson of Philadelphia, PA, Eric Peterson of South Portland ME; three sisters, Christine and her husband Carl Sweetser of Salem, MA, Virginia and her husband James Barfield of Fairport, AL, Rosetta and her husband Timothy Symonds of Casco, ME; sixteen grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2012 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 9:00 am followed by a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 611 Main Street, South Portland. Burial will be private. Those who wish may make contributions in Everett Peterson's memory to the South Portland Food Cupboard, 29 Aspen Avenue, South Portland, ME 04106.Online condolences may be expressed below.