1902 – 2003

LEWISTON – Fritz Oscar Peterson, 100, of Russell Street, Lewiston passed away Wednesday, July 30, at his home with his loving wife and family by his side.

He was born Aug. 31, 1902, in Woodland, the son of George A. and Christine Peterson who were Swedish immigrants. He live in New Sweden as a young child, then moved to Monmouth with his family in 1912, where he grew up working on the family farm.

In 1921 the family moved to the home in Lewiston, where he has lived for the past 82 years. He went to Detroit, Mich., in 1923 to work in the Henry Ford automobile factory, gaining the experience and knowledge to then return to Lewiston to open Peterson’s Garage, the only auto repair shop between Lewiston and Sabattus.

He earned the reputation as a top-notch auto repairman, and built up his business on the creed “If we can’t fix it, give it away.”

He married Jeannette Paradis on Oct. 9, 1926. She died in 1963. Mr. Peterson was a self-taught man, and during World War II added the skill of Machinist to his accomplishments by machining high-precision submarine and radar parts for the war effort. He then renamed his business Peterson’s Garage and Machine Shop.

He formed a business alliance with Raymon Clough of Portland, and in 1946 added Die-Casting to his list of skills, buying the first white-metal die-casting machine in the State of Maine. He designed and made the dies for the production of the now famous “Down East” Trolling Fishing Rod Holder, with Mr. Clough marketing this product.

These Rod Holders have been manufactured and shipped world-wide for 57 years under the name of Down East Sportscraft, Inc. Mr. Pererson’s son and grandson now carry on the production of the Rod Holders and run the Machine Shop business.

He officially retired at the age of 91, but continued to work part-time and assist in these businesses until his death.

Mr Peterson was a pioneer private pilot, and in the mid 1930’s developed the Central Airport, which is now the Brault Park area of Lewiston. The airport held air shows, and flight instructions were given until 1952.

His other interests included building a small three-passenger car for his sons from larger automobile parts, and driving and displaying it in many local parades. He was a member of the Steam Engine Club, building and displaying model Hit-and Miss (one lunger) engines.

He was a Past Master of Rabboni Lodge 150, then became a member of Ashlar Lodge 105 A.F & A.M.; Auburn. A former longtime member of the Lewiston United Baptist Church, he recently became a member of the High Street Congregational Church in Auburn.

His final wish was to thank all of the devoted caregivers from the Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice for the wonderful care and loving concern shown to both he and his wife.

He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, the former Ruth Norma Perkins Boothby, whom he married Nov. 27, 1970; two sons, George C. Peterson of Germantown, Md., and Frederick A. Peterson and his wife, Eleanor of Lewiston; two stepdaughters, Ruth Ann (Boothby) Coburn, Biddeford, and May (Boothby) Milliard of Lewiston; nine grandchildren, Diane T. (Peterson) Ehrlich and husband Stephen of Damascus, Md., Richard F. Peterson and wife, Connie of Upland, Calif., Robert E. Peterson of Saddlebrook, NJ., Mark M. Peterson and wife, Janice of Alexandria, Va., Kenneth A. Peterson of Lewiston, Katherine L. (Peterson) and husband, Richard W. Perron Jr. of Sabattus, Paul G. Peterson of Upper Marlboro, Md., Sharon A. (Peterson) Rubin and husband, Stephen of Chelmsford, Mass., and Steven E. Peterson and wife Amy of Lewiston; stepgrandchildren, Roxanne (Boothby) Duranceau and Diane (Milliard) Morin of Biddeford, Dennis Boothby and Danny Boothby of Saco, Roger Milliard and wife, Bonnie of Buxton, Sue (Milliard) Le, of Baton Rouge, La., Norman Milliard of Sanford, and Leo Milliard Jr. of West Kennebunk; 35 great-grandchildren; a niece, Constance (Peterson) Costigan of Bloomington, Ill.; and very special friends and caretakers, Clem and Adriana Picard.

Mr Peterson was predeceased by his first wife; and a brother, Gerhard A. Peterson.