William A. Petersen M.D.

Petersen, William A., MD
ALBANY - William A. Petersen, MD was born October 31, 1930, in Kingston, N.Y., son of the late William H. and Geraldine V. (McCloskey) Petersen, brother of the late Peter F. (Susan) Petersen. Passed away peacefully on February 7, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
He was educated in the public school system and graduated from Kingston High School, in 1948.
He entered Union University, Albany College of Pharmacy in September 1948, graduating as alternate valedictorian in 1952. Accepted at Albany Medical College in September 1952, and as a pharmacist, worked his way through Albany Medical College graduating in 1956, having been inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
After completing a medical internship under Dr. Richard Beebe, he entered military service in 1957, as a captain in the Army Medical Corps. He was stationed at the Landstuhl Army Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, where he became involved in pediatrics. In 1960, after three years as a pediatric ward officer, he returned to Albany Medical Center to complete formal pediatric training. From 1962-1965, he was on the full-time pediatric staff devoting his time to teaching, supervising the pediatric clinic and was Medical Director of the March of Dimes Birth Defect clinic. He became Board Certified in pediatrics in 1963.
While on the full-time staff, he contributed to the chapter on pediatric care in a leading text book on Emergency Room Care, edited by Charles Eckert, Professor of Surgery at Albany Medical Center Hospital.
He was one of the original founders of Boland, Petersen & O'Dywer MD's, a private practice of pediatrics in Latham, N.Y., which expanded to include five additional pediatricians, and became known as Shaker Pediatrics, PC.
Positions held included Attending Physician at Albany Medical Center and St. Peter's Hospital and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Albany Medical College. He held previous positions at Albany Memorial Hospital, Samaritan and St. Mary's Hospitals in Troy, N.Y., Bellevue Maternity Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y. and Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, N.Y.
He was married to Carole Greer Millard in October, 1955, whom he met during medical college while she was completing nursing courses at Russell Sage College. Father of William (Patricia Hennessy) Petersen, Timothy (Carol) Petersen, John (Johanne) Petersen and Carole Amy (Timothy) Pisinski. He was called "Doc" by his 12 grandchildren, William S. Petersen, Conor, Bryan, Evan and Tyler Petersen, Nicole, Stephen and Erika Petersen and Timothy, Robert, Michael, and Katie Pisinski.
He was a long-standing communicant of the historic St. Mary's Church in Albany and St. Pius X Church in Loudonville. Former member of the Knights of Malta and member of The Country Club of Troy, a club founded by his wife's grandfather in 1925, where he was active in golf and tennis and served on the Board of Governors for several terms.
An avid skier, sharing his interest with his children and grandchildren, whenever possible. He "strategically" attended pediatric medical meetings at Vail, Colo., and loved spending time with family and friends at their home in Quechee Lakes, Vt. Other interests included annual trips to Bermuda, gardening and repairing and refinishing antique furniture.
Memberships included: Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, member of the Capital District Pediatric Society, Albany County and New York Medical Societies and the American Medical Association.
During medical school and after returning from Germany, he became an active member of the Mendelssohn Club of Albany, one of the oldest men's choirs in the country.
In April 2012, he was honored by the State of New York when the Legislative body under the guidance of Senator Neil Beslin passed Senate Resolution #4517 for professional excellence and making a significant contribution to the quality of life for citizens of New York, by sharing and improving healthcare for children.
In February 2013, he was honored by the Starlighght Foundation for his dedicated pediatric care of children from the tri-city area and beyond for 50+ years.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of Right at Home, Albany, N.Y., for taking care of him at his home and the Staff at St. Peter's Hospital for their care this week.
Donations in his honor can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., and/or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, in Staten Island, N.Y.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with his family Thursday, February 13, 2025, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at St. Pius X Church, 23 Crumitie Rd., Loudonville, N.Y. 12211. Please enter through the doors of the Parish Life Center.
Funeral services Friday, February 14, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Pius X Church, Loudonville, N.Y., where his funeral Mass will be celebrated.
The Rite of Committal will be held at St. Peter's Cemetery, Troy, N.Y., immediately following the Mass.
To leave a message for the family or view other helpful services, please visit www.mcveighfuneralhome.com