John Charles Petersen

John Charles Petersen, age 64, of Mooresville, North Carolina, passed away at his home on August 25, 2025, after an extended illness. He was born July 5, 1961, in Fairfield, Connecticut, and was the son of the late John M. Petersen and Gertrude (Schmidt) Petersen.

John moved to Erie at a young age and enjoyed outdoor sports, especially snow skiing in the winter and sailing and biking in the summer months. He had a passion for learning the history of places and things and became skilled at tracing the family’s genealogy. John was an active member of the Boy Scouts from his earliest years on. The achievement he was most proud of was earning his Eagle Scout Award. He was a 1979 graduate of McDowell High School and went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh and University of Michigan where he studied architecture and construction management. John served as Assistant Project Manager for Erie Insurance’s Real Estate Portfolio and served in that capacity for construction companies in Pittsburgh and Atlanta before retiring to Mooresville, North Carolina.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his uncle, Richard Petersen, his aunt, Marylou Carlson and her husband, Erland Carlson and aunt, Ursula Brozell.

John is survived by sisters Joan (David) Chalikian, and Patricia Rickloff and by nieces and nephews Jennifer Chalikian, Catherine Chalikian, Peter (Mallory) Rickloff, Marissa Rickloff, Matthew Rickloff and great niece Sienna Rickloff.

Friends will be received at Burton Quinn-Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, West Ridge, 3801 W. 26th Street, Erie on Friday, October 31st from 4:00-6:00 pm. Burial will be on Saturday, November 1st at Erie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the French Creek Council, Boy Scouts of America at 1815 Robinson Road West, Erie, PA 16509 or the Erie Humane Society, 2433 Zimmerly Road, Erie, PA 16506.