Moultonborough, N.H.-----John Harold Petersen, 90, of 57 Cooks Point Road, passed away, after a courageous, five-month battle with multiple myeloma, on Monday, July 14, 2014 while in Hospice Care at his home.
Mr. Petersen was born January 22, 1924 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the youngest of four children born to Norwegian immigrant parents, Hans and Marie (Windsand) Petersen. He resided in Moultonborough, N.H. for forty-five years and was a “Sno-Bird” for the last twenty-four years, spending winters in Destin, Florida.
After graduating high school, Mr. Petersen attended Marquette University, graduating in 1945 from the R.O.T.C. program with a Civil Engineering Degree.
Mr. Petersen served in the U. S. Navy for twenty-six years, retiring as a Commander. His duty stations were worldwide, including Alaska, Nevada, Philippines, California and Japan.
Mr. Petersen was a civil engineer and had been employed by the State of New Hampshire, Department of Transportation, Bridge Maintenance for fourteen years, retiring in 1984.
Mr. Petersen was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Society of American Military Engineers. He was also a member of the Moultonborough United Methodist Church and an active member of the Walton County Sno-Bird Club.
Mr. Petersen was an avid golfer and enjoyed golf as his main recreational outlet. He started playing at age 12 while working as a caddie in suburban Milwaukee. He continued the game all of his life, playing his last round of golf at age 89 in Destin, Florida.
Mr. Petersen met his wife, “Ellie”, of Laconia, who was also a young naval officer, while the two of them were stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana. They were married there in 1950.
Survivors include two sons, William F. Petersen and his wife, Karen, of Belmont, N.H. and Thomas H. Petersen and his wife, Cheryl, of Mammoth Lakes, California; a daughter, Margaret Reel, and her husband, Clint, of Charlotte, N. C.; two grandsons, Lee Petersen and his wife, Christine, and Carl Petersen and his girlfriend, Megan Tomlin, all of Belmont, N.H.; one granddaughter, Julia Olson, and her husband, Shaun, of Charlotte, N.C. and a sister-in-law, Susan Rexford, of Fairfield, California. In addition to his parents, Mr. Petersen was predeceased by his wife of forty-six years, Elenor (Minkler) Petersen, on April 14, 1996, two brothers, Marcel Petersen and Robert Petersen, a sister, Margaret Aulik Petersen and a sister-in-law, Doris Pare.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2014 from 2:00PM-4:00PM
in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Moultonborough United Methodist Church, 1018 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, N.H. on Monday, July 21, 2014 at 11:00AM. Rev. Paul O’Neil, Pastor of the Church, will officiate.
Burial will follow in the family lot in Holland Hill Cemetery, Route 109, Moultonborough, N.H.
The family would like to thank Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice for accepting him into their program and caring for him for thirteen weeks.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.
For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.