Russell Northrup Peterson II

Russell Northrup Peterson II

April 10, 1947 – January 20, 2026

Russell Peterson, 78, of Niantic, beloved brother of Dale Noble, and uncle of Jennifer Noble Woods,

passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. He was born on April 10, 1947 to Russell N. Peterson Sr.

and Elizabeth Frances Peterson (nee Sullivan).

Russ was born in Hartford at St. Francis Hospital and was baptized at Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

His first employment was at The Kennel Shop in West Hartford. He then drove for UPS, and became

a manager. He went on to Northeast Utilities in Niantic where he worked for many years as a

pipefitter before he retired. In retirement he drove the shuttle bus at L&M Hospital in New London.

Russ is survived by his sister, Dale, of Middletown, his niece, Jennifer, of Camarillo, CA, and three

grand-nephews, George, Nate and Trey, of Camarillo, CA.

Russ lived for many years in Westbrook, CT, where he happily became a beach bum on weekends.

He was visited there many summers by his sister and niece for several weeks. When he moved to

Niantic, he continued his love of the beach! When Diana Taurasi played for the UConn women it

was unlikely he ever missed a game on tv, and every once in a while would go to an at-home game.

When UConn played USC in Los Angeles, he often flew out to catch the game and visit his sister, who

then lived in LA! And when Diana went pro and Phoenix Mercury played the Sparks, he would again

visit his sister for the game. A highlight for him was when he got to chat with Diana before one of

the games as she recognized him. He was always an avid New York Yankees fan, having started as a

boy with trips to the stadium with his Dad. Russ has continued friendships from his high school days,

as well as from his time at Northeast Utilities, and added a few others along the way!

Russ attended Mass at St. Agnes Church in Niantic and will have a Mass of Christian Burial on

Monday, February 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in

Westbrook, 1080 Horse Hill Road. To share memories or express condolences online please visit

www.neilanfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s

Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in Russ's name. 1-800-608-8795.