Donald Leroy Petersen

Donald LeRoy Petersen, 89, formerly of Greece, NY, and a resident of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away on June 29th, 2023.

He was born on October 6th, 1933, in Minneapolis, MN, to the late Roy Martin Petersen and Arlene Meisner (Paska).

Don was the oldest of 6 children. As a boy, he moved with his mother and sisters to Long Island, NY. Don enlisted in the US Air Force in NY in 1952. In 1955, at the age of 22, Airman First Class USAF, Donald Petersen wed Carol Rosina Loyst of Rochester, NY.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1956, Don went to work for, and ultimately retired from, Eastman Kodak after nearly 30 years of service.

Don and Carol raised their two daughters, Sherry and Cindy, in the town of Greece, NY, where they lived until 1991 when they retired to Punta Gorda, FL. Don and Carol were happily married for 67 years until Carol’s passing in 2022.

While living in Greece, NY, Don became a Freemason and regularly participated in social activities like bowling and card games. Don had a love for words. He enjoyed completing the daily crossword and word puzzles. He regularly wrote letters to the editor that were published. Upon retiring to Punta Gorda, FL, he was an active member and leader of the garden and beautification committee in his community.

He is predeceased by his wife, Carol, and his brothers Dick and Curt, and his sister, Sharon. He is survived by his sister Sandy (Guth) and brother Allen; two daughters, Sherry Welch of Punta Gorda, FL, and Cindy (Ed) Arnold of Hilton, NY; 8 grandchildren, EJ (Jeanette) Arnold, Jessica (Don) Andrews, Shannon (Chris Porter), Carrie & Mandy Welch, Troy (Ellen) Arnold, Torrell Arnold, Tiffani (Gaurav) Dighe; 9 great-grandchildren, Jasmyn (Mike) Ozug, Bethany, Elizabeth, Jarrett & Shawn Arnold, Brittany (Mike) Montfort, Charlotte, and Oliver Arnold, and Aaryan Dighe; and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren Jacob and Jack Montfort.

A private memorial for both Donald and Carol Petersen will be held on Sunday, July 30th, at 3 PM at St. Paul Church in Hilton, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.