Henry Hunt Peterson

Henry Hunt Peterson

Whitefield, NH - Henry "Hank" Hunt Peterson, 85, of Whitefield, New Hampshire, passed away on November 13, 2025, surrounded by his family. He died from injuries sustained in a car accident on November 11. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Jean-Marie Peterson from the same accident.

Hank is survived by his son, Chris Peterson and his wife Rikke; his daughter Laura Peterson; his grandchildren Megan Aslanian, Allison Palagi, and her husband Bryan; and his great-granddaughter Adelyn.

Born January 7, 1940, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Hank moved with his family to Natick, Massachusetts at the age of four, where he spent most of his childhood. He graduated from New Hampton School and later earned his Associate and Bachelor's degrees from Mitchell and Nichols Colleges. In June of 1964, he married his first wife, Martha Louisa Tichy, and together they settled in Woodbury, Connecticut, where they raised their two children. During these years, Hank began his long and successful career in the banking industry.

In 1977, Hank accepted a position as Vice President of Commercial Loans at Concord National Bank, prompting the family's move to New Hampshire-a place that quickly became home and remained so throughout his life.

While living in Connecticut, Hank had been an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. After relocating north, he continued to deepen his involvement within the Episcopal community in Concord. It was during this time that he also developed a lifelong love of the outdoors. Hank became an avid hiker and set himself the goal of climbing all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000-foot peaks. He completed this remarkable achievement in June 1983, forging many enduring friendships along the way. His passion for the mountains only grew from there. He served the Appalachian Mountain Club in numerous capacities and, with his friend Doug Wyman, explored historic plane-crash sites throughout the region-an endeavor that led to a feature article in the Concord Monitor and later in AMC Outdoors magazine in 1994.

A new chapter of joy began in 1992, when Hank met Jean-Marie Demers. They were married on December 7, 1996, and spent the next three decades building a rich and adventurous life together. They settled in Littleton, New Hampshire, in a home on Broomstick Hill Road affectionately known among friends and family as "the inn." Together they explored the outdoors, especially through their shared love of canoeing, and became deeply woven into the fabric of their community.

Hank and Jean-Marie joined the congregation of All Saints Episcopal Church, where Hank served on the vestry, chaired both the investment and finance committees, and led the search committee that called the Rev. Curtis Metzger as minister. His commitment to service extended well beyond the church. Hank volunteered with the Littleton Police Department on community home-check rounds, participated actively in the Rotary Club, and delivered countless meals through the Meals on Wheels program. He gave generously-both of his time and his resources-to organizations and causes he believed in.

Hank will be remembered as a devoted father, a loyal friend, a man of deep faith, and a steadfast pillar of every community he touched. His legacy lives on in the mountains he loved, the people he served, and the family he cherished above all else.

Services for Hank and Jean-Marie will be held 01/10/26 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Littleton NH at 11a.m. Reception at the church will follow. If you would like to send flowers we ask that you contact Cherry Blossom in Littleton.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Eating & Shelter Ministries at all Saints Episcopal Church.