Richard 'Dick' Carlton Peterson, 97

CUMBERLAND -- Richard 'Dick' Carlton Peterson, 97, passed peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010.
Born on June 10, 1913, in Falmouth, Dick was the son of Bendix Lenart and Alice Lund Peterson. Growing up in Falmouth, Dick commuted daily by trolley train to attend North Yarmouth Academy. He was extremely proud of his first 'real' job, a bicycle paper route along Route 88 in Falmouth. Early in his adult career he was employed as a journeyman plumber with E. N. Cunningham and later worked for Scribner & Iverson. He spent several decades as plumbing inspector for the Town of Cumberland, retiring in 2009 at the age of 96. He also served as a part-time inspector at various times within those years for the Towns of Gray, North Yarmouth, Yarmouth, Chebeague and Long Island. He collected water samples for the State of Maine along the mainland and island shores, puttering along in his inflatable air boat with his then beloved dog by his side, each and every one of them named Bo. Dick was also a member of the Town of Cumberland Shellfish Committee.

On Feb. 26, 1949, he married the love his life, Sylvette Boulay Gagnon. Along with Dick's son, David, by first wife, Marjorie Jane Roach, Dick's marriage with Sylvette brought four more sons to raise. Dick and Sylvette were inseparable for the 32 years they had together, caring for and going to harness races with Dick's favorite horse, Easter Cash and getting their boat, the Busy Bee, ready for the season and spending time on the ocean.
Very active, Dick took great pleasure in clamming, dancing, baseball, and vegetable and flower gardening. Inheriting an extensive and blended family, all of whom he took as his own, Dick was predeceased by his parents, beloved step-father, Lawrence Miller Iverson; his wife, Sylvette who passed away in 1981; his sons, David E. Peterson, Richard L. Peterson and Rodolph (Rudy) P. Gagnon; his brothers and sisters, Ruth Hodgdon, Bendix L. Peterson Jr., Minnie Erb and Lawrence Martin Iverson; and grandson, Dwayne A. Peterson. Dick is survived by his sons, Roger A. Peterson and wife Sandra of Santa Rosa, Calif., Thomas J. Peterson and wife Jane of Cumberland; his brothers, Warren Peterson and wife Nancy, and Donald Peterson; daughter- in-law, Mrs. Rodolph (Beverly) Gagnon; grandchildren, Robert A. Gagnon and wife Charlotte, Cheryl A. Skillin and partner Darryl Duchaine, Brenda L. Langlais and husband Dennis, Peter R. Gagnon and wife Kelly, Louis R. Peterson and fiance Cindy Chase, Deborah L. Peterson, Troy A. Peterson and wife Lisa, Crystal Shull and husband Ronald, Evan A. Peterson and wife Samira, James M. Peterson and wife Christina, Kevin A. Peterson and wife Susan, Michael J. Peterson; and several great-grandchildren; cousins; nieces and nephews.

Dick enjoyed a full and happy life and made many friends along the way. He treasured each and every one of them.
Heartfelt thanks to the employees of the Town of Cumberland, Dick's extended family, who have consistently through the years been kind and caring to him. And deepest appreciation and thanks as well to the family and friends who assisted Dick each and every day, making it possible for him to remain in his own home to the very end, Louis R. Peterson, Cindy Chase, Sarah Nelson, Jessica Haggerty, Norma Fitts and Amanda Mansur.

There will be no funeral or public visiting hours. A graveside service will be held at Moss Side Cemetery, Cumberland, on Nov. 5, 2010, time to be announced. Family and friends are invited to a light luncheon at Val Halla Golf Course banquet facility following the service. Please join us in honoring Dick's life.
In lieu of flowers, please
make donations to:
The Cumberland Fire and Rescue Town of Cumberland
290 Tuttle Rd.
Cumberland, Maine 04021