E W “Pete” Petterson Obituary

E W “Pete” Petterson, 89, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, in the care of his loving family. Born and raised in Worcester, Pete was the son of Wallace and Dagmar (Ryssy) Petterson and lived the last 30 years in Sterling.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Shirley (Ekstrom) Petterson, two sons, Mark E. Petterson and his wife Eleanor of Frisco, TX; Eric J. Petterson and his wife Susan of Virginia Beach, VA; a daughter, Susan J. Lajoie of Sterling; 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a sister, Carole V. Lundquist of Golden Valley, MN. Besides his parents, Pete is predeceased by his son, Carl D. Petterson, daughter, Linda Petterson-Brown, grandson, Jeremy R. Lajoie, and son-in-law, John Lajoie.

Pete graduated from North High School in Worcester in 1951 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He honorably served his country during the Korean War. After four years of active duty, he attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, earning a degree in engineering. Pete then served 29 years in the Navy Ready Reserves, advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer, and subsequently became a commissioned officer and engineering & hull specialist. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander.

Pete worked at the former Norton Company in Worcester for 35 years, first as the chief plant engineer’s liaison on several major building construction projects. He advanced to plant layout & design engineer, facilities structural design engineer, and retired in 1991as the facilities engineering manager for the Greendale Plant in Worcester. He then became a structural engineering consultant for the company for the next 10 years. He was a member and past president of the Worcester County Chapter American Institute of Facilities Engineers.

Pete was a lifelong member of Epworth United Methodist Church. He shared his time and talents with the church as the chairman of the board of trustees for 30 years, and was also a member of the administrative council and several other church committees. He supported the Worcester County Chapter Military Officers Association of America for 30 years as an executive committee member and president. Pete was the Central Massachusetts U.S. Naval Academy recruiting and information officer for 37 years and mentored high school juniors and seniors in their preparation and application process. He was also a member of the U.S. Service Academies nomination advisory committee for the MA 3rd congressional district. He supported the Swedish Cemetery Corporation/All Faiths Cemetery for 24 years as a vice president and director. He was a member of the Nordic Lodge/ VASA Order of America, and a scoutmaster and committee chairman of Boy Scout Troop 9 in Worcester.

Pete enjoyed traveling with his wife throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean Islands, Europe, and the Scandinavian Countries.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Pete’s family from 1 to 2:30 pm on Saturday, December 17, at Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling, followed by a funeral service at 2:30 pm. Interment will take place privately at Old Swedish Cemetery in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Epworth United

Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 64Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609. To leave a memory or offer a condolence, please visit

www.milesfuneralhome.com