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Thomas Petersen Obituary
Born on Sept. 16, 1935, in Buffalo, N.Y., he was the son of the late Edwin and Elizabeth (O'Neill) Petersen. Thomas was a proud U.S. Air Force veteran serving in Southeast Asia working on airplane engines during the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Air Force in 1972, Thomas was employed as a machinist at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Middletown for 25 years.
Thomas was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren, whether cheering them on at a sporting event, or helping them with their cars in his driveway. He enjoyed fishing and loved riding around on his John Deere tractor.
He will be dearly missed by his daughters, Kimberly Kendzior and her husband, James, of East Hampton and Lauren McKenna of Waterford; three grandsons, William R. Lamphere IV of Vernon, TJ McKenna and his wife, Stephanie, of Ellington, and James Lamphere of Norwich; his grandaughter, Amanda McKenna of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and his two cherished great-grandchildren, Andrew and Haven Lamphere of Vernon.
Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic. Burial will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.neilanfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Petersen
3 Entries
Thomas McKenna
July 13, 2013
Lauren and Kim, I just have to say that Pete was a inspiration and mentor to me as I grew up from my teens teaching and showing me the things I needed to become a man. He will always be in my memories and I am very lucky to have had him in my life. He was a good caring man that I will miss dearly. Its nice to know he's together with Pat again, I'm sure he's very happy now. My deepest Sympathy to the both of you, God bless. Tom.
Sarah Elkinson-Pellegrino
July 10, 2013
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with your family during this difficult time.
Sandra Uden
July 10, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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Funeral services provided by:
Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home48 Grand Street, Niantic, CT 06357
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