Thomas J. Petersen, Jr., 51
Dateline: Norton, MA
Norton Deputy Police Chief Thomas J. Petersen, Jr., age 51, a lifelong resident of Norton, passed away, following a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. He was the beloved husband of Michelle L. (Hayes) Petersen, to whom he was wed on September 25, 1993.
Born in Attleboro, MA on July 8, 1970, he was a loving son of the late Thomas J., Sr. and Kathleen M. (Graney) Petersen.
Tommy grew up in a close tight knit Norton family and was a 1988 graduate of Norton High School. He furthered his studies, graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a master’s degree from Western New England University.
For the past thirty-two years, he unselfishly dedicated himself to the Norton Community.
Tommy began his career as a dispatcher and worked in all aspects of the department including Patrol, Detectives and Administration and finished as Deputy Chief of Police.
When not protecting the residents of Norton, a town he loved so dearly, the essence of his life was his family. Tommy attended all of their events, coached youth baseball and football and served as an assistant Norton High School Football Coach for ten years. He also served on the Norton Pop Warner and Norton Youth Baseball Boards for many years.
Tommy was a communicant of Saint Mary’s Church in Norton and enjoyed times spent on Cape Cod. He will always be remembered as a fair and loyal man and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his beloved wife of nearly twenty-eight years, he is survived by his devoted sons: Nicholas H. Petersen and his girlfriend Casey Conroy of Boston and Matthew H. Petersen of Norton and his girlfriend Margaret Ross of Marblehead. He was the dear brother of Kimberly M. Bergamini and her husband Todd of Wareham and Kelli L. Johansen and her husband Edward of Taunton. He was the special son-in-law of John and Shirley Hayes of Norton. He was the adoring uncle of Joel, Brian, Jacob, Kyle and Emily. He is also survived by his cherished aunts, uncles and cousins, and faithful Beagle “Romeo”, as well as his fellow members of the Norton Police Department and his extended law enforcement family.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours, with police honors, on Monday, July 19th from 5:00-9:00 P.M. at Saint Mary’s Church, 1 Power St in Norton. A law enforcement walk through will be held at 4:30 P.M.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 20th at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church. Burial with police honors will follow at the Norton Common Cemetery in Norton.
Those wishing to honor Tommy, may make donations in Deputy Police Chief Petersen’s memory to the Norton Police Association, 82 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766.
Those sending floral tributes are asked to have them sent directly on Monday to Saint Mary’s Church in Norton.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com
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