Obituary of Gregory B. Peterson

Gregory B. Peterson October 7, 1950 – October 23, 2023 With profound sadness, we announce the death of Gregory (Greg) B. Peterson, beloved and devoted husband, father, Pop-Pop, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor, and fisherman. He had just celebrated his 73rd birthday. The eldest of five children, Greg was born to Dorothy and Christian Peterson on October 7, 1950. Greg grew up in, and remained a life-long resident of Bridgeton, New Jersey. He graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1969 and later from Glassboro State College in 1972. It was during his senior year in Bridgeton High School in October 1968 that Greg met the love of his life, Kathleen (Kathy) McDowell. They met during a fire drill and struck up a conversation, where he asked her on a date. They began dating, fell in love, and married in 1972. Greg and Kathy celebrated 51 years of marriage in May 2023. Together, they raised two children, Shanna and Amy, and mourned the loss of their infant son Eric, who predeceased him and Kathy in June 1998. Those who know Greg know that he was a tireless and dedicated worker, having held his first job selling jewelry to neighborhood women in the second grade as well as a local paper route. He had an intense work ethic, often held more than one job at a time, and worked at several Bridgeton businesses including P.J. Ritter, Bond Bread, Owen’s Illinois, Ashley McCormick, and finally Atlantic City Electric Company where he worked for decades and from which he ultimately retired in 2003. Greg was fiercely supportive of education, dedicating nearly 30 years of service on the Upper Deerfield Township Board of Education, where he proudly served as President for over 8 years. His commitment to education led to his second career, and the one of which he was most proud, founding BCS, LLC, his consulting business where he advised school districts on their school policies and procedures, starting from just a handful of districts to 30. Greg built BCS from the ground up, and spoke of it proudly and fondly throughout his life. BCS was a testament to Greg’s relationships in education, the knowledge that he gained and pursued as part of it, and the trust that others put in him. While Greg appreciated the value of hard work, he equally appreciated his leisurely pursuits. As a young man, Greg enjoyed participating in Civil War reenactments and was very proud of his accomplishment of being an Eagle Scout. As an adult, Greg was an avid fisherman, even having tied his own flies for fly fishing for years, an eager traveler (especially to Canada for his frequent and beloved fishing trips), and collector of everything – literally everything – from pipes to fishing rods from tools to whatever might be on QVC and many surprises in between. Greg will be forever remembered for his ornery wit and unique sense of humor: no one was immune from his ribbing and jokes. He liked to make people laugh, and never minded laughing at himself. In his later years of life, Greg was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which he faced with dignity, resolve, and a healthy dose of Greg’s signature stubbornness. While he resented the disease for his impact on his independence and mobility, he never once complained. He was determined to live as normal a life as possible, and did so. He continued to enjoy travel, visiting with friends and family, telling and retelling stories, and most of all going out to eat, especially at the Fairfield Inn. Greg is survived by his wife Kathy, daughters Shanna and Amy, sons-in-law Matt and Robbie, six grandchildren Sydney Alexis, Owen Joseph, Henry Samuel, Molly Madeleine, Lana Ruby, and Scarlett Jean, his brothers Bruce and Robert, sister Dianne Peterson Hill, sisters-in-law Zina Peterson, Karen Peterson, Shelly Peterson, and brother-in-law Keith Hill. He is predeceased by his parents Christian and Dorothy, mother and father-in-law Naoma and Leon (Bud) McDowell, brother Christian (Chip), brothers-in-law Leon McDowell Jr. and David McDowell Sr., and beloved son Eric Scot. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 1st , from 9:30 am-11:00 am at Padgett Funeral Home, 1107 NJ 77, Bridgeton, NJ. A memorial service will follow immediately thereafter at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Greg’s memory be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.