Herbert O Peterson

Herbert O. Peterson, born on August 21, 1924, in Stockholm, ME, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2025, at the age of 101. He spent most of his life in Gardner, Massachusetts, where he was a respected and loved member of the community. Herbert served in the U.S. Army Air Corp as an aviation mechanic during World War II, working on B-17, B-24, and B-29 bombers. While stationed in Arizona, he saw the aftermath of the trial test for the atomic bomb. After the war, he worked at Heywood Wakefield Co. in Gardner. Later he became a certified barber and was the proud owner/ operator of City Barber Shop, where he served generations of families with a warm smile and steady hand until his retirement. His life was marked by an unwavering dedication to his craft and to the community that he served with kindness and humility. Always one to be on the move, Herbert enjoyed cross-country skiing, swimming, and going for walks. He also had a passion for singing and playing his guitar and was a member of various country western and gospel bands. He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Gardner, where he enjoyed singing in the choir. Most of all, Herbert enjoyed time spent with family and friends. He had a deep love and dedication to his wife, Millie, who passed away in 2024 after almost 80 years of marriage. Herbert's life was a testament to endurance, generosity, and unconditional love. Life brought its fair share of hardships, but Herbert's strength and perseverance, along with the love of his family, got him through. He was a devoted husband, a steady and loving father, and a proud grandfather. A deeply caring man with a strong sense of humor, Herbert's legacy is marked by the countless lives he touched with compassion, integrity, and courage. Herbert is survived by his children, Susan Jones and her partner Leonard Doane, Ron Peterson and his wife Heather (Hines) Peterson, and Bruce Peterson and his wife Lisa (Wiley) Peterson, eight grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren He is preceded in death by his father Clifford Peterson, mother Brita (Olsson) Peterson, and wife Mildred Peterson. Herbert's life will be honored and remembered at a calling hour on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 10:00 am at Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home located at 343 Central Street, Winchendon, Massachusetts, 01475. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am EDT at the same location. Burial will take place at 12:15 pm at the Wildwood Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, Massachusetts, 01440.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Montachusett Veterans Outreach, 268 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central St., Winchendon, MA, is assisting with arrangements. We invite you to leave your memories of Herbert and upload photos to the memorial page as we celebrate his remarkable life.