John Peterson, FDNY lieutenant, Vietnam War veteran, dies at 68

By Staten Island Advance
on May 11, 2015 at 7:35 PM, updated May 11, 2015 at 9:05 PM

John Peterson, 2013Family Photo

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- John F. Peterson, 68, of Prince's Bay, a retired FDNY lieutenant, Vietnam War veteran, family man and passionate New York Mets fan, died Saturday in Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton.
The lifelong Staten Islander was born and raised in Grant City, and graduated from New Dorp High School.
Mr. Peterson also lived in Eltingville for 10 years before settling in Prince's Bay in 1986.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a corporal and saw duty in the Vietnam War.
Mr. Peterson's career with the FDNY spanned more than 23 years. Assigned to Ladder Co. 105 in Brooklyn for many years, he was promoted to lieutenant and retired from Engine Co. 152 in Rosebank in 1996.
A sports enthusiast, he rooted for the New York Mets, and in his youth played football for the Staten Island Tigers and played softball in various leagues.
Mr. Peterson served on the board of directors of the Joe Ryan Memorial Committee, which recognizes athletic directors of area high schools.
"My brother-in-law Jack was an outstanding individual. His moral and ethical ideals were beyond reproach. A better friend you could not find," said his sister-in-law, Gail Peterson-Ghigliotti.
Mr. Peterson was a parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C. Church, Huguenot.
His wife of 16 years, the former Barbara Cappuci, died in 1992.
Surviving are his daughter, Blaire Peterson; his brother, Dr. Daniel, and his longtime companion, Arlene Volsario.
The funeral will be Friday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, also West Brighton.