Obituary

Joseph E. Peters, Sr. 91 of Brockton and South Pomfret, VT passed away on Sunday March 9, 2008 after a brief illness. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 13, 1916 to Rose (Walsh) and Theodore Peters. He was the husband of the late Mary E. (Finn) Peters to whom he was married for 51 years.

Mr. Peters graduated from Central High School in Providence, Rhode Island in 1933 and worked for General Dynamics in Groton, CT after graduation. From 1940 to 1942, he was employed as a crane operator at Bethlehem Steel in Quincy.

Mr. Peters honorably served his country with the United States Navy Seabees during World War II 1942-1945. He was attached to the 46th Naval Construction Battalion in New Caledonia in the South Pacific being discharged with the rank of Machinist’s Mate Second Class. While in the Navy, Mr. Peters received the Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged.

Joseph served the community of Brockton tirelessly for 36 years as an employee with the New England Telephone company from 1946-1981. He assumed the role as Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America with the Narragansett Council of Rhode Island and as Cub Master for Pack 14 in Brockton. He was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

He is survived by his six children and their families: Joseph E. Peters, Jr. and wife Katharine: Anne Swarce and her husband Donald; Mary DiMarzio and her husband David all of Bridgewater, MA; Susan Leonard of Onset, MA; John Peters of South Pomfret, VT; and James and his life-long partner, Marvin Slaght of Irmo, SC; Mr. Peters also leaves his sister, H. Claire Murphy and her husband Morgan E. of South Pomfret, VT; He was the proud father of six, grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of 19. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral from the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont St. (Rte 123) Brockton Wednesday at 10am. Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Brockton at 11am. Burial in Pine Hill Cemetery, West Bridgewater. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Joseph may be made to the Old Colony Hospice, One Credit Union Way, Randolph, MA 02368 for online donations click here