Eric Orrin Peterson

Eric was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., the eldest son of William and Jean (Woodin) Peterson. He spent many summers in Escanaba staying with his grandparents, Elmer and Jenny Peterson, and made many life-long friends. In his younger years, Eric enjoyed working his beaver trap line, working at Frank Brothers Farms; where he said he learned many life-long skills, and playing football in high school.

Eric graduated from Arlington High School in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in 1967. He worked with his father and brother, Ken, at Western Publishing. He was employed at IBM, where he said a single computer took up the size of a large room and he was often laughed at for envisioning a day when you could wear a computer on your arm like a wristwatch.

In 1968 Eric joined the United States Air Force. He attended boot camp in Biloxi, Miss. He often talked of the white sand beaches of Biloxi and how tragic it is that they are now covered with casinos. Eric was stationed at Rhein Main Air Force Base, Frankfort am Main, Germany; a Military Airlift Command. He was extremely proud of four years in service to his country working as a paralegal and security guard in the 322nd Combat Support Group.

Upon leaving the military, Eric moved to London, England, where he married Jean Hart. They were married 23 years and had two children, Sarah and Michael. Eric was fond of calling his children the “Irish Twins” and “The Campbell Kids”. Eric worked for Brintons Carpet in London and in the New England states in the U.S. He lived in London for 12 years before returning to the States.

In 1989 Eric followed his parents and moved to Escanaba where he eventually met his life partner of the past 30 years, Sandra L. Guenette. They enjoyed attending rummage sales, estate sales and auctions, as well as completing several remodeling projects in their home. Eric was most proud of turning a bare attic into a cabin-like living area he called Bull Moose Lodge.

Locally, Eric worked at Pouliot’s Auto Expo, Great Lakes Home Medical, Gladstone Super Lube, and Rampart Ambulance (Medic #57). He was proud to work alongside his younger brother, David, at Peterson’s Cobbler Works for 12 years. He finished his work-life at Fishers Cleaners & Cobbler Shop and at Cash Liquidators.

Eric enjoyed woodworking, winemaking, and cooking (everyone loved his homemade pizza), watch repair, and fiddling with anything electronic, especially computers. He was a proud member of the NRA, Great Lakes Sport & Recreation Club, and the Rock American Legion. In recent years, he took pleasure in bringing his various dogs to the park each morning where he met many wonderful friends, both human and canine.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Jean Peterson; sister, Jill Marie (James) West of Bellingham, MA; and brother, Kenneth Carl (Deb) Peterson, Melbourne, Fla.

Eric is survived by his brother, David Robert (Michelle) Peterson of Escanaba; daughter, Sarah Marie Peterson and her daughter, Emmie of Basildon, UK; son, Michael Kenneth Orrin (Zaneta) Peterson and their children Oskar and Madalin, of Laindon, UK; nephews, Cody, David and Zakary West; life partner, Sandy Guenette; honorary sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Elmer) MacKnight of Racine, Wis. and Lonnie (Roy) Sebeck of Gladstone; nephews, Janon, Corey and Clayton MacKnight, Troy and Trevor Sebeck, and niece Angela MacKnight Carothers. He is further survived by his fur-babies, Gracey-Ruth and Marley Mae; and grand dogs, Norman and Wilma.

The family would like to thank OSF Healthcare for their love and concern over the years of providing care to Eric. They would further like to thank UP Health System Home Health and Hospice for the wonderful care provided the past two months.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S 13th St, Escanaba. Military services will follow at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Eric O. Peterson may be made to the Delta Animal Shelter, 6975 County 426 M.5 Rd, Escanaba, MI 49829.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.