CUMBERLAND — Richard “Dick” Carlton Peterson, 97, died peacefully Oct. 17 at his home with his family by his side.
Born June 10, 1913, in Falmouth, he was a son of Bendix Lenart and Alice Lund Peterson.
Growing up in Falmouth, he commuted by trolley train to attend North Yarmouth Academy.
He had a lifelong career in plumbing, starting out as a journeyman plumber before spending several decades as a plumbing inspector for the Town of Cumberland, and retiring in 2009 at age 96.
He could often be found collecting water samples along the shore, puttering along in his inflatable air boat with a beloved dog by his side, each one named Bo.
On Feb. 26, 1949, he married Sylvette Boulay Gagnon, and created a large blended family with her four sons from a previous marriage and his son David from his first marriage to Marjorie Jane Roach.
He and Sylvette were inseparable during their 32-year marriage, going to harness races with his favorite horse, Easter Cash, and spending time on their boat, the Busy Bee.
Always active, he took great pleasure in clamming, dancing, baseball, and vegetable and flower gardening.
He enjoyed a full and happy life and made many friends along the way. The family wishes to express a heartfelt thanks to the employees of the Town of Cumberland, who were consistently kind to him throughout the years.
Also, they express a deep appreciation and thanks to Louis R. Peterson, Cindy Chase, Sarah Nelson, Jessica Haggerty, Norma Fitts and Amanda Mansur, for helping him every day, making it possible for him to stay in his own home until the very end.
He was predeceased by his wife Sylvette in 1981; three sons, David E. Peterson, Richard L. Peterson and Rodolph “Rudy” P. Gagnon; four brothers and sisters, Ruth Hodgdon, Bendix L. Peterson, Jr., Minnie Erb and Lawrence Martin Iverson; and a grandson, Dwayne A. Peterson.
Survivors include two sons, Roger A. Peterson and wife Sandra of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Thomas J. Peterson and his wife Jane of Cumberland; two brothers, Warren Peterson and his wife Nancy, and Donald Peterson; daughter-in-law, Beverly Gagnon; 12 grandchildren, Robert A. Gagnon and his wife Charlotte, Cheryl A. Skillin and partner Darryl Duchaine, Brenda L. Langlais and her husband Dennis, Peter R. Gagnon and his wife Kelly, Louis R. Peterson and his fiancee Cindy Chase, Deborah L. Peterson, Troy A. Peterson and his wife Lisa, Crystal Shull and her husband Ronald, Evan A. Peterson and his wife Samira, James M. Peterson and his wife Christina, Kevin A. Peterson and his wife Susan, and Michael J. Peterson; several great-grandchildren; cousins; and nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations can be made to Cumberland Fire and Rescue, Town of Cumberland, 290 Tuttle Road, Cumberland, ME 04021.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 5 at Moss Side Cemetery in Cumberland. Family and friends are invited to a light luncheon at Val Halla Golf Course banquet facility following the service.
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