Gregory Ernest Peterson

Gregory Ernest Peterson, age 79, of Merrimack, New Hampshire and York, Maine, formerly of Tyngsboro and Westford, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on October 13, 2025, at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on February 16, 1946, in Lowell, Massachusetts, Greg grew up in the Nabnasset area of Westford where his roots ran deep. He was affectionately known by many as “The Commander.”

A proud graduate of Westford Academy, Class of 1963, Greg excelled in athletics and was inducted into the Westford Academy Hall of Fame for football, basketball, and track and field, where he led his basketball team in both scoring and rebounding and set the school record in the quarter mile for track and field. He went on to attend Norwich University, where he earned the school’s first-ever full athletic scholarship for basketball. Greg served as captain of the basketball team in his senior year and was later inducted into the Norwich University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. During his collegiate career, he also set the original record for most rebounds at Norwich—a record that stood as a testament to his leadership, skill, and tenacity on and off the court.

Following graduation in 1967, Greg proudly served his country as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, where he was a helicopter pilot flying the UH-1 Huey Gunship. His military career included four years of active duty and twenty years in the Army Reserves.

Professionally, Greg built a long and successful career in the financial services industry, where he was admired for his integrity, leadership, and dedication. Following his retirement, he embarked on a new chapter as a small business owner, operating two restaurants, including one appropriately named “Commanders.”

Greg was a member of the Tahattawan Masonic Lodge of Littleton, Massachusetts, where he developed lifelong friendships rooted in service and community.

He was also a devoted family man, and his greatest source of pride was his family. A true role model to all who knew him, Greg led by example—with kindness, humor, grit, strength, resilience, and unwavering love.

Greg is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Kathleen Peterson; their four children and ten grandchildren:

Jeffrey Peterson II and his wife Jana Peterson, and their children Jeffrey Peterson III of Windham, NH and Kelsey Peterson and her fiancé Shawn Sweeny of Berwick, ME;

Michael Peterson and his wife Kate Peterson, and their children Bradley, Jake, Kyle, and Gregory Peterson of Hanover, MA;

Trista LaMonica and her husband Rocco LaMonica, and their children Rocco and Ava LaMonica of Pepperell, MA;

Heather Sweeney and her partner Paul Williams, Jr., and her children Anna and Jack Sweeney of Amherst, NH.

He is also survived by his sister Linnea Westberg and her husband James Westberg of Nashua, NH, and their children Caroline Westberg of Madrid, Spain, and Douglas Westberg and his wife Kerri Westberg of Natick, MA, as well as his niece Jennifer Basile of Marblehead, MA.

Greg was predeceased by his parents Edgar and Phyllis Peterson, his brother Jeffrey Peterson, and his sister Sherid Basile.

He will also be lovingly remembered by his beloved golden doodle, Maggie, his loyal companion and constant friend.

Greg loved life and all it had to offer—especially golf, travel, reading, all things military, and New England sports. He was a proud member of Cape Neddick Country Club in Maine and enjoyed playing countless courses throughout his life. He and Kathleen shared a passion for traveling, exploring the world together and creating lasting memories with family. Greg’s love for dogs was a constant throughout his life, and he found great joy and comfort in the companionship they brought.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at Tufts Medical Center in Boston for their compassionate and expert care.

Visiting hours will be held in the McGaffigan Funeral Home, 37 Main St., (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 4 – 8 pm. Greg’s Funeral Service will be held at West Chelmsford United Methodist Church, 242 Main St., North Chelmsford, MA on Friday, October 24th at 11 am. Burial with U.S. Army Military Honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Westford.

For those who wish, flowers will be gratefully accepted and may be sent to the funeral home for Greg’s services. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Greg’s memory are encouraged to make a donation to the dog rescue organization of your choice, reflecting his lifelong love of animals.

“Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass,
Of glory in the flower,
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind;”

— William Wordsworth, “Splendour in the Grass”