1937 – 2014

AUBURN — John M. Peterson Sr., 76, of Lewiston and formerly of Phillipsburg, N.J., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice after a hard-fought battle with melanoma.

John was born on Nov. 16, 1937, in Phillipsburg, N.J., a son of the late Richard E. Peterson and the late Agnes Kuss Peterson Wilson.

John married the love of his life, Doris (Bryant) Peterson, in May 1966, and they started their married life together in his hometown of Phillipsburg.

John first worked for Penn Tire Co., in New Jersey. However, New England life called and in 1967, the young couple moved to Lewiston, where John embarked on a 35-year career with George Business Forms (later GBF Information Systems), until his retirement in 2002. John wanted to give special thanks to Larry George of George Business Forms, who believed in him all those years ago.

Finding retirement too sedate, in 2004, John started to work part time at Home Depot, where he continued up until two weeks ago. John treasured the friendships of work colleagues — including those at GBF — with whom he worked for many years, and his newer Home Depot co-workers, who supported him through his illness of the past year.

An avid baseball player, fan and coach, John was active in Lewiston-Auburn baseball for many years. In 1979, 1980 and 1981, John was the first three-year president of Elliot Avenue Little League in Lewiston. From 1985 through 1994, John coached Legion baseball at Post 22 and Post 31, where he led his teams to an overall 215-77 record. Under his tenure, his Legion teams won their zone championship five out of the 10 years and went to the Maine State Championship Tournament nine out of the 10 years. John especially wanted to thank John Hesler, Bert Ouellette, Tom Clifford, Ron Plourde and Don Plourde who coached with him, for their steadfast friendship and guidance over the years.

John also was the first president of the Lewiston Football Boosters in 1984, and he was a leading member of the committee to light up the field at Lewiston Athletic Park.

John leaves behind a loving family, including his wife of 48 years, Doris (Bryant) Peterson; his son, John M. Peterson Jr. and daughter-in-law, Cindy, of Marietta, Ga.; daughter, Pamela Peterson Haddock and son-in-law, John H. Haddock, of Newmarket, N.H.; and three grandchildren, Christopher Peterson, Megan Peterson and Jerico Haddock. John is also survived by three sisters and a brother, Elizabeth Hummell of Phillipsburg, N.J., Shirley Weirsky of Alpha, N.J., Mary Fegley of Easton, Pa., and Robert Peterson of Phillipsburg, N.J. John also has many loving nieces, nephews and godchildren.

He was predeceased by two siblings, his sister, Patricia Stillo, and his brother, Richard Peterson.

John and his family would like to thank Dr. Pandey, Dr. Letafati and Dr. Ikossi and their respective staffs at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center for their compassionate care. John’s family would like to thank the Hospice House in Auburn for its loving and devoted care in making his final days peaceful and comfortable.

Condolences, donations and a video tribute may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.