Obituary of Peter H. Petersen

Sodus: (April 12, 1940 – January 7, 2014) Age 73, died at home surrounded by his family after a difficult battle with cancer. Peter was born in Gowanda, NY the third child of five to Harry and Leona (Fuss) of Leon, NY. He attended Pine Valley Central School in South Dayton, NY, where he lettered in five sports; Football, Wrestling, Baseball, Basketball, and Track. Most importantly he met his wife of 52 years, Sandra Pattyson. After graduating in 1958, Peter enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in El Paso, TX. He later was deployed to Korea where he served as a Military Policeman. In 1961 he married Sandra and moved to Sodus. He and Sandra welcomed Peter in 1962, Patrick in 1964, Victoria in 1965, Paul in 1967, and Vaughn in 1968. Peter worked for Kodak for 29 years, and ran his own driveway sealing business for 10 years. Peter was involved with community level baseball programs from 1962 until his death. He performed many jobs such as coach, umpire, commissioner, fund raiser, motivator, transportation, etc. Whatever needed to be done Pete was the first one to volunteer and you could count on the fact that it would get done and get done right. In the early 70’s his sons started wrestling, which started a very long history and legacy of Pete being involved with the Sodus Wrestling Program. Long after his sons careers were over Pete continued to consult, administer and fund raise for Sodus Wrestling. Pete made sure Sodus youth had access to wrestling by making sure they were where they needed to be to compete, while making sure the funding for their efforts was always there. Pete and his wife were charter members of the Sodus Sports Booster Club, which after 37 years is still going strong. During the 70’s and 80’s the Petersen home was a summer destination for NYC children who were involved in the Fresh Air Fund Program. Peter is predeceased by his parents Harry and Leona (Fuss), brother Frederick, and his son Peter. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Sandra Pattyson Petersen, sons Patrick, Paul (Tara), Vaughn, daughter Victoria Pulver; grandchildren Steven Pulver, Vladimir Hresent, Macy and Meah Petersen; sisters Marjorie (Albert) Clark, Patricia (David) Moore, Karen (Donald) Volk; and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday January 17th, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the Norton Funeral Home, 45 West Main Street in Sodus. His funeral will be held on Saturday January 18th, 11 a.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church, 31 West Main Street in Sodus. Interment with Military Honors will be held at the convenience of his family at the Sodus Rural Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Peter’s memory may be made to Sodus Youth Baseball/Softball, P.O. Box 116, Sodus, NY 14551.