John H. Peterson

John Henry Peterson of Chatham, and formerly of Hanover and Weymouth, passed away on November 30, 2019, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on August 18, 1943, and was the only child of the late Henry and Eleanor Peterson. John was raised by his loving parents in Weymouth and attended Sacred Heart elementary school until 8^th grade. He was a Boston College High School student and a proud graduate of Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

John was the beloved husband of 40 years to Louisa Montague Peterson of Chatham and the cherished father of John H. Peterson, Jr., and his wife Lindsay of Milton, Jennifer McNally and her husband Kevin of Hingham, Kerstin Peterson of Chatham, Nicholas Peterson and his wife Tessa of Portland, Maine and his beloved “Golden” child Hank. John was the devoted grandfather of Billy, Katherine and Tommy McNally and Sophia, Jack and Ellie Peterson. He lived his life with tenacity, integrity, selflessness and a kind and generous spirit and ingrained those traits in those he loved the most. Above all else, John was the pack leader and protector of his family.

John was a proud United States Navy veteran. He was guided by the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Stationed in Oahu during the Vietnam War he fell in love with Hawaii. After years of dedication, hard work and endless traveling across the country, John made a success of himself in the garment industry and returned to Hawaii, year after year, with his wife, mother, children, grandchildren and friends. John cherished the simple moments sitting on Kaanapali Beach and watching each generation make new memories together.

In his retirement John enjoyed rounds of golf with Louisa and his friends and spent hours cheering on each of his grandchildren at their hockey and lacrosse games. For years he quietly and courageously battled prostate cancer and continued to put his family and friends first. During his battle John received excellent care from the doctors and nurses of Massachusetts General Hospital and the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod at https://wwwcapecodhealth.org/ways-to-give/tribute-giving/ or to support Genitourinary Cancer Research at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center under the direction of Dr. Richard J. Lee. Checks may be made out to Massachusetts General Hospital with “In Memory of John Peterson” in the memo and sent to Massachusetts General Hospital c/o MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Thursday December 5^th from 4 to 8pm in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), Hingham. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home on Friday December 6, at 9am  prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Paul’s Church, Hingham at 10am. Burial will be private.