Eric E. Peterson

Eric Peterson Obituary

Peterson, Eric E. SCHENECTADY Eric E. Peterson, 73, of Schenectady, died Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at home after a short illness. Eric, born in New York City, was enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict as a B-29 tail gunner. He was a past Boy Scout leader, a professional scuba diver and instructor, a Hunter Safety trainer, past member and mission pilot for Civil Air Patrol where he served as a cadet leader, and past member of Life Line Pilots. He was a member of Trout Unlimited, the Korean War Veterans Association, American Legion Post 1092 and a life member of the National Rifle Association where he was a certified instructor in rifle, pistol and personal protection. He was also a life member of 307th Bomb Group Wing and a life member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 8692. Eric retired in 2000. Eric is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda Greenlees Peterson; one son, Steven M. Gallagher and his wife Diane of Wilmington, N.C.; two daughters, Lisa G. Pallone and her husband Joseph of Clifton Park and Marca Rose Peterson of London, England; also survived by two grandchildren, William M. Frank and Cynthia L. Pallone, and one nephew, James Clearwater of Seattle, Wash. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, August 30 at 11 a.m. at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union St., McClellan St., Schenectady. Visitation will be Friday evening, August 29 from 5 to 7 at the funeral home for those who wish to call. Memorial contributions in Eric's memory may be made to any veterans organization or cause of your choice. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.jonesfh.net

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Published by Albany Times Union on Aug. 22, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Eric Peterson

11 Entries

Jim (Bones) Benjamin

August 27, 2008

Lisa
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Memories are the saga of ones life may your be fond always. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. God bless.

Tony Pallone

August 27, 2008

My mom called me last week with the news about Eric. I just wanted to share with everyone how very, very sorry I was. It seemed that I was just on the verge of getting to know him better; I was so looking forward to going fishing with him this summer with the new pole that he had been so kind as to have insisted making for me. A truly great guy...his passing marks a tremendous loss, both to the family and to all those in the world whose lives he touched. Of course (just as I felt about the loss of my grandmother last year) I truly believe that when someone touches your life so deeply, he or she can never truly be gone at all. A little part of
them lives on in you...as long as you are still around, so are they.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon...it will be nice to reconnect after what I know has been such a difficult time for all of us.

With deepest sorrow, and deepest love...

Tony

Diane and Adam Smith

August 26, 2008

It was Christmas Eve 3 years ago when I realized the man Eric was. Adam and I just told the family a birthmother picked us to adopt her baby. Without hesitation Eric walked directly over to me with tears in his eyes and hugged me. That is a true measure of a man that knows the importance and love that only a child can bring. Our hearts go out to his entire family that was blessed to have him.

Joe Pallone

August 25, 2008

I only had the privilege of knowing Eric for about 13 years, but his presence in my life was extraordinary in so many ways. One of my most vivid memories of Eric was at Lisa’s and my wedding. After the song I wrote for Lisa was played, Eric walked up to me with tears in his eyes, shaking his finger at me in a way that I knew meant “Don’t you dare hurt her or you have to deal with me.” It was that ability to say so much with so few words and his caring for others that separated Eric from most. His chivalrous and stoic demeanor was his calling card and what set him apart from the rest. He was also one of the most giving and humble men I had ever met in my life.

Lisa’s brother Steve and I were talking and we agreed that if we can be half the man that Eric was, then we are off to a good start. Bear, my father-in-law and my friend, you will be missed tremendously.

Bill Ketzer & Heather Cohen

August 25, 2008

We had the tremendous pleasure of getting to know Bear a little over the course of the last five years. We were immediately drawn to the guy because he embodied all of the attributes both of us respect and love in a person. Toughness, frankness, boldness, all tempered by kindness and best of all a great sense of humor. And while we weren't able to be there in his final days we know that he held fast to those great values until the very last day. Linda, Lisa, Joe, Steve, Billy and all... our sincere thanks for allowing us even a brief glimpse into the heart and mind of such a fantastic fellow. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

Marcy Dow

August 24, 2008

Although I only knew Bear for such a short period of time, I feel very fortunate to have known him. My thoughts are with his family...he will be missed greatly.

Mike Virtanen

August 24, 2008

The last time I saw Eric he was rolling two Harley-Davidsons out of his truck for Joe and Lisa. It was obvious he knew his way around bikes, and I asked if he'd ever had one. He said he had, I think he said in Japan. He'd been in the military, and in the war in Korea, and I knew he'd been an aviator but only because Joe told me the day we went skydiving and Eric watched, graciously never letting on how much he knew about the whole thing. Anyway, after he rolled the bikes out I asked if there was anything he hadn't done, and he laughed and said probably not.
And I thought he's such a class act, generous, modest, kind and accomplished, and maybe, if everything breaks right and I'm really lucky, maybe one day I could be a guy like him.

Ron & Terry Kassof

August 24, 2008

Our whole family will miss Bear very much but we feel very lucky and honored to have known him. He is a wonderful example of a husband, father and gentleman. Quiet but full of class, with many talents.
Our thoughts are with Linda and her family.

Ron, Terry, Ben and Max

Lisa Pallone

August 24, 2008

I took a long ride on my motorcycle today. It was sunny and beautiful and I felt like Bear was with me the whole way, smiling, with the wind blowing in what was left of his hair. I miss him so much. A better father couldn't possibly exist.

Kenise Barnes

August 22, 2008

I have so many images of Bear mixed in with my childhood memories and going forward in my adult life. He was an awe inspiring figure, always so knowledgeable and fearless.
I am sending you all love and my support. I will see you next week.
Love,
Happy

Colleen and Bruce Cerniglia

August 22, 2008

We just want to let Linda and her family know that it was a pleasure to meet and get to know Eric. He was an awesome man and we will miss him.

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