Ralph C. “Pete” Petersen Jr.

WELLS – Ralph was born in Lewiston to Ralph C. “Pete” Petersen Sr. and Dara Adams Perkins on Dec. 3, 1940.

Growing up in Auburn, a suburban family neighborhood, he remained in contact with Brian Harris from “a few doors down” and neighborhood friend, Gilman Teti, who served as best man at both of his weddings.

He married his first wife in 1964 and together they raised three daughters, of whom he was very proud.

He married Linda Emerton of Wells in 1987 and became stepfather to her daughter.

He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1959 and Nason College in 1965. During his working years he had various jobs, including being a middle school teacher, which was his favorite job; selling snowmobiles; an administrative position in the Wells school system; a program manager with Jobs Training Program; and ultimately owning his own business, Mousam Valley Meats, a wholesale meat distributor.

Pete enjoyed baseball (Go Sox!), he was a skilled pitcher during high school. He enjoyed attending local games with his daughters. As a Porsche enthusiast, he acquired his first Porsche in 1986, which he had dreamed about for years. He and Linda became active members of Porsche Club of America’s North Country Region. Pete enjoyed the Porsche club’s many activities and events. This became a very special time of his life.

On the serious side Pete was interested in politics and social justice issues and was thrilled to live long enough to see Trump denied a second term. He was a lover of great food and spirits and appreciated the finer things of life.

Genealogy was important to him, doing extensive research on his Danish heritage, his father was the first American born Petersen of his lineage. He passed that interest to his daughter Karen, assuring his work will be carried on. He enjoyed family gatherings, following all of his children’s, stepchildren’s, grandchildren’s, and step-grandchildren’s activities, academics, and accomplishments, he was very proud of all of them.

Pete is survived by his beloved wife, Linda; his daughters, Pamela and husband Thomas Snowe, Karen Utgard and husband Michael Carle, Sarah Petersen and partner Joel Cook; and his stepdaughter, Shannon Emerton. He had seven grandchildren, Alex Buckley, Caroline Snowe, Stella Utgard, Gabriel Fornier, Samuel Fornier, Zach Pierce, and Zoe Emerton; and his great-granddaughter, Cecelia Buckley.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Autumn Green Funeral Home in Alfred 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday May 17. Due to COVID, there will be no refreshments. Masks required.

Comments are not available on this story.