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Allyn Peterson Veteran
April 14, 2019

Obituary

EAST LONGMEADOW- Allyn Karl Peterson, 81, of Portland, Maine, and formerly East Longmeadow, passed away Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019. He was born to the late Lambert and Helen (Johnson) Peterson in Springfield. Allyn grew up in Forest Park and later Wilbraham, and graduated from Springfield Technical High School in 1955. He served in the US Army at Fort Dix, NJ, and graduated from Western New England University. He married Diana Carlson on July 14, 1962, after being introduced by his future father-in-law, with whom he worked at the time. Allyn and Diana were inseparable best friends and enjoyed 50 years of marriage until Diana’s death in 2013. Allyn’s career in engineering and management took him from Westinghouse to Uniroyal and then Smith and Wesson, from which he retired in 2001. He and Diana were longtime active members of the First Congregational Church in East Longmeadow, where they sang in the choir and Allyn was on the Finance Committee. He loved music and also sang in the Wilbraham Choral Society and Wilbraham Men’s Glee Club, and over the years enjoyed participating in many choral concerts in Wilbraham and Longmeadow. Another musical tradition was attending BSO and Pops concerts with “The Group” of longtime friends at Tanglewood. Allyn was known for his cheerful outlook, quick smile, and willingness to help out wherever needed; in return, he and Diana enjoyed a large circle of longtime, loyal friends. He was proud of his Swedish heritage, especially the food! A longtime tradition is a Swedish Christmas Eve dinner by candlelight with extended family, featuring all of his favorite Swedish delicacies; his grandsons always eagerly awaited his homemade eggnog. Allyn loved hockey, from pond skating as a youth in Forest Park to coaching WTM hockey for years, even playing as an “old timer” in to his 50’s. He and Diana loved playing golf, sports, and traveling, from skiing on Stubai Glacier in Austria or in Aspen, to skiing together with their sons for decades at Springfield Ski Club in Blandford, to trips to the National Parks, Alaska, Hawaii and the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. He visited all 50 states. Maine was a favorite destination; he and Diana spent many vacations at the Samoset in Rockport and were frequent visitors to his son Erik’s home in Cape Elizabeth. Allyn was a member of the Wilbraham Masonic Lodge, a lifetime blood donor, and a Red Sox superfan! He was extremely patriotic, with Old Glory ever-present flying proudly at his home; he taught his sons proper flag etiquette, and always stood for a passing flag at his beloved East Longmeadow 4th of July parade. Marching bands and patriotic music gave him goosebumps! Allyn was first and foremost a loyal husband and family man. He cared for Diana and his son Gary simultaneously during their illnesses, and loved his three grandsons, eagerly following their sports activities. He is survived by his son Erik and his wife Donna of Cape Elizabeth, ME, and grandsons Chad of Washington, D.C. and Marshall, and Daughter-in law Michele and grandson Wesley Allyn of Sturbridge. He was predeceased by his wife Diana, son Gary, brother Wesley, and sister Barbara. Special thanks to the medical teams at Maine Medical Center R4 in Portland, ME, and Gosnell Memorial Hospice in Scarborough, ME for excellent care, and also to the caring staff and new friends at Birchwoods Assisted Living in Portland, ME. Graveside service will be held on July 5, 2019 at noon at Hillcrest Park Cemetery in Springfield, with a celebration of his life on July 6 at noon at the First Congregational Church, 7 Somers Rd. in East Longmeadow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wesley Allyn Peterson Education Fund c/o TD Bank. If you see a cardinal, think of Allyn and his bright spirit, and Smile!




Arrangements are with Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com

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Chad E. Poitras Cremation & Funeral Service
498 Long Plains Road
Buxton, ME 04093
207-929-3723