Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Add a Memory
Make a Donation
BORN
1960
DIED
2026
FUNERAL HOME
Taz Petersen Obituary
Taz Russell Petersen, 66, of Groton, CT, passed away peacefully February 22, 2026 at the Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London.
He was born on January 8, 1960, in New Haven to Lydia Richardson. Taz grew up in East Lyme and graduated from East Lyme High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team. He later attended Southern Connecticut State University and met the love of his life and his best friend, Colleen Shanley.
Taz and Colleen moved to Groton, CT in 1998 where they spent many happy years sharing their love for the beach and building a community of wonderful friends and neighbors. Taz had an innate ability to enjoy the little things and never lost sight of what mattered most. In recent years, he enjoyed having daily “Breakfast Club” with his mother Lydia, his sister Lisa, and his loyal companion, his Teacup Yorkie Bella. Everyone who knew Taz knew how much he loved the Red Sox, golf, football Sundays, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, and reading about the mafia, organized crime, and World War II. Yet there was no greater joy in his life than being a husband, Dad, and Padge.
Taz was proud of his three sons Mike, TJ, and Jimmy, who all joined the military. He always raved about how his daughter Rory (“Doodle”) grew up to be the most incredible mother to his grandkids, Pepper and Kit (“The Littles”).
Whether you were his neighbor, his coworker, his friend, his family, or you knew him from his daily trips to the grocery store, the package store, or Dunkin’ Donuts, he likely greeted you with a big smile on his face and a “Hi Doll!” or a “Hey Pal!” To know him was to love him, and, for heaven’s sake, we loved him.
Taz was preceded in death by Leon Petersen, his adoptive father. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Colleen; his three sons: Michael, TJ (Meg), and James (Jamie); his daughter, Rory; his mother, Lydia; his sister, Lisa; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his two beautiful grandchildren, Pepper and Kit.
The family will receive friends and loved ones at Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton, Connecticut, on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in memory of Taz.
Rock and Roll!
Memories and Condolences
for Taz Petersen
29 Entries
Lacy Grabinsky
March 22, 2026
What wonderful memories all of us cousins had growing up together!! Those memories will be forever cherished Taz, rest peacefully ❤
Catherine Helen Mesner
March 20, 2026
Colleen and Friends/Family
I wish I could be there to hug you all personally.
May his memory be a blessing during the difficult days ahead.
With Love and Sympathy,
Catherine Helen Mesner
Tom Carew
March 20, 2026
Colleen and family,
Please accept my condolences. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Whenever I was in Taz's company it was always a pleasure.
I'm sure Taz was welcomed in heaven by all of the family that has gone before him.
I can only hope that your fond memories soon replace the sorrow you feel today.
May Taz Rest in Peace.
Sincerely Tom Carew
Hope Walencewicz
March 17, 2026
Colleen, sorry to her of Taz passing. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Peter and I are thinking of you.
Love, Hope and Peter Walencewicz
How you can show support
Kristen Wich
March 16, 2026
To Colleen and family - Taz and I worked together at The Day in New London for several years. He was always so upbeat, positive, and full of fun! He was one of the kindest people I have ever worked with, and I am so sorry to hear of his passing. May your fond memories together guide you through this very difficult time.
Bernie Nasser
March 16, 2026
To Colleen and Family:
My sympathy on the loss of Taz. We first met when he wrestled for EL and I was the Coach at Fitch. Over the years we built a friendship because of wrestling. Then I had the pleasure of teaching his children at FHS. Colleen and Taz were also EPB beach buddies for many years since I retired!! Always a positive disposition and comic word, I will miss his banter whether it was about wrestling , his family, or the beach...keep his memories close as I will remember him in my thoughts and prayers!
May your soul rest in peace, my wrestling brother.
Andrew Parrella
March 15, 2026
Colleen and family-
Sorry to hear of the loss of Taz. Always so friendly and positive, it was always a smile and positive outlook. I hope the many great memories your family shared can give you all strength at this time.
Tammy Waitkus
March 15, 2026
Till we meet again my friend❣
Spencer Lancaster
March 15, 2026
My condolences to the FAMILY and FRIENDS may he still REST PEACEFULLY IN PARADISE GOD BLESS MUCH LOVE ♥
Denise Pierson
March 15, 2026
I will miss his beautiful smile and helping nature. Love talking about the service and his sons and Rory. Much love to you all.
Dave Fairman
March 15, 2026
Rest in Peace
Shannon DePerry
March 15, 2026
Colleen and family ,
Taz was such a wonderful man , love a light to you all as you navigate life without him .
Much love
Shannon (Graham) DePerry
Dave Ouimet
March 13, 2026
I worked with Taz at Millstone Power Plant. Loved him right away. He saved a man from jumping off the gold star bridge. Made us laugh when times were tough. I still use a Boston Red Sox can holder he bought me in 2010. I keep it alive with fishing line. I and my good friend Jordan will keep the memory of Taz alive.
George Scott
March 13, 2026
I have many happy memories of Taz and his family from our High School days: pretty much every sport, from whiffleball, golf, basketball to skiing, swimming, football and baseball. Taz just loved life and had a gift of bringing joy to those around him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. George Scott
Dawn Kirk
March 9, 2026
I knew Taz from East Lyme High School, and have remained in touch with his sister Lisa.
Taz was a very bright light. Funny, happy, loving, kind! What a sweet spirit!
I know he loved his family , even tho I never had a chance to meet them!
Please except my deepest sympathy for his loss. Heaven has accepted him with great honor! Party in Heaven! Rest sweetly Taz...you will surely be missed and thought of always!
Mike and Gai Kelly
March 7, 2026
Our extreme condolences to Colleen Mike TJ Jimmy Rory Meg Jamie and the grandkids. Taz was one of the best humans I knew and he made is laugh so much. Sending our love And he aways had great things to say about about our kids
The Kelly family
Leslie Howard
March 6, 2026
Sadly, Taz and I had a bit of a falling out a few years ago over politics, and I fully realize now just how stupid those divides are. We worked for many years together, and he was one of my absolutely favorite people ever and always will be. I
Bill Glass
March 6, 2026
Hey Colleen, I’m shocked and saddened by Taz’s passing, you and the boys are in our thoughts and prayers, so sorry
Bill Glass
Madaline Harris -Warren
March 6, 2026
Colleen, family and friends, l am truly sorry for the loss of an amazing guy. May God Bless you all. RIP Taz
JERI DUEFRENE
March 6, 2026
I am so sad to hear that Taz passed away. I was looking at what he wrote in my yearbook a couple of weeks ago, I will always remember him with a smile, he was fun to hang out with back in our school days and after that too. I bumped into him a few times over the years and I was happy to see him. My condolences to his family, rest in peace Taz, you will be missed.
Lisa Rue
March 5, 2026
So sorry for his passing, with thoughts and prayers to his close friends and family. Taz was a bright light and caring person. Recalling walking in the blizzard of 78 with him and some girlfriends. He didn’t care that his long hair was filled with icicles!
Michael Baton
March 5, 2026
So sorry to hear about this.
Taz was a cool guy. ❤
Jim Richardson
March 5, 2026
Taz my cousin, most of our memories were long ago in those wonderful days of our childhood. I will forever remember those snowy, cold Christmas Eves at Grandpa’s house in Canton while us kids would hang out upstairs impatiently waiting for dinner. Fast forward to the past few years we regularly kept in touch on Facebook where we shared a similar passion for the events of the day. You will be missed by many but I know you are presently in the hands of the Father. We will meet again someday soon. Love you, my cousin. You will be missed.
Duane Pierson
March 5, 2026
One of the best people I've had the honor of calling a friend. Taz will be missed for sure by a whole lot of people beside his amazing family.
Shawn Dougherty
March 5, 2026
I have many fond memories of fun college antics with Taz including Rolling Stones concert and Bosox opening day. Thankfully we were able to catch up and reminisce in Florida a couple of years ago. The laughs were still there. To Colleen and family, please accept our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. .
~Shawn and Christine Dougherty
Lisa Beebe
March 5, 2026
What can I say about having the honor of Taz as a brother. We were sidekicks,best friends and we got through the worst with the best. He was a compassionate, giving soul to all he met, to all he knew, to all he loved. He loved many and was loved by many. He'll forever be by my side. The past five plus years we had together were such a gift for which I'll forever be grateful.
Josh Cooper
March 5, 2026
Taz. I always enjoyed your calm demeanor and positive attitude on life. Many fond memories of both you and Collen at Hickerson Hall via Southern CT.
My thoughts to one and all.
Josh and Beth Cooper
Stuart M Giilman
March 5, 2026
So sorry for your loss. I’ll always remember Taz at Millstone when he was insecurity with me.
Stu Gilman
Michele Spicer
March 5, 2026
I'm so sorry to hear of Taz's passing. I worked with Taz at The Day and boy did we have some fun and a lot of laughs. I don't think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. I'm so sorry for Colleen and his family my thoughts and prayers are with them all. May he rest in peace.
Showing 1 - 29 of 29 results
Make a Donation
in Taz Petersen's name
Memorial Events
for Taz Petersen
Mar
20
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Byles-Groton Memorial Home
310 Thames St., Groton, CT 06340