John Richard Peterson III

Obituary of John Richard Peterson III

John Richard Peterson III of Glastonbury, CT passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026, at the age of 92. A devoted family man and proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he will be remembered for his quick wit, love of music (especially Irish folk music), and devotion to the South Carolina low country where he lived following his retirement and felt most at home.

Born in Bronx, NY on July 12, 1933, John was the son of William and Dorothy Peterson. Losing his father at the age of two, John and his brother William were raised by his single mother, his aunts and uncles, and a devoted housekeeper, Betty Birney, who remained part of the Peterson family into John's adulthood. John attended St. Nicholas of Tolentine High School where he was a standout basketball player and met his future wife Susanne when the two were movie theater ushers. Their marriage lasted nearly 70 years until Susanne's death in 2024.

John graduated from Hunter College in 1955, marrying Susanne and enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, based in Camp LeJeune, NC. He rose to the rank of First Lieutenant and throughout his life made it very clear that, aside from his wife and children, his proudest accomplishment was being part of the Marine Corps family.

John enjoyed a long and distinguished career with Union Carbide Corporation, primarily based in New York City. After moving to various places as part of his job, John, Susanne, and their four children settled in Darien, CT, calling an old carriage house on Rebel Lane home. The neighbors soon became lifelong friends, and many a lively gathering was held on the outside patio or by the living room fire.

Summer vacations were spent in Belle Harbor, NY, Quonochontaug, RI, and Grantham, NH. Following his retirement from Union Carbide, John embarked on a second career as an international salesman in the burgeoning computer chip industry. This enabled John and Susanne to travel the world and to live abroad in Munich, Germany and Provence, France.

Following this chapter of his life, John and Susanne settled in Old Lyme, CT and ultimately purchased a second home in St. Helena Island, SC, outside of Beaufort. They eventually moved to St. Helena Island permanently where they enjoyed many wonderful friends, large family gatherings, and all the low country lifestyle had to offer them.

Predeceased by Susanne, their daughter Elizabeth Simon, and their son-in-law Nicholas Pishvanov, John is survived by son John R. Peterson IV of Weston, CT, daughter Ellen Pishvanov of Old Lyme, CT, and daughter Nancy Sweeney (John) of Narragansett, RI. John's large extended family includes son-in-law Charles Simon (Karen), eight beloved grandchildren; Nick Pishvanov (Tiffani), Kimm Dorsch (Kyle), Kristin Roberts (Aidan), Brian Sweeney (Libby), Margaret Kayadan (Muja), Catherine Sweeney, Emma Simon, and Anna Peterson, and two great-grandsons; Lincoln Dorsch and Warren Sweeney. He was always there to "talk about life" with them, sharing sage advice and gentle humor.

John will be buried with full military honors at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien, CT, later this year.

For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.