George Edmund Peters Sr

George Edmund Peters, Sr., of Columbia and Ft. Myers, FL. passed away Friday May 7, 2004 at the Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. He was the husband of Jean Elizabeth (Isham) Peters for nearly 58 years. George was born May 10, 1922 in Willimantic and was the nephew of the late George W. Bedford of Columbia. He was a graduate of Windham High School Class of 1940 and had been employed by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in the early 1940's. George served in the Army Air Force as a gunnery instructor and aviation mechanic during World War II. He was stationed at several bases in southern U.S. Prior to his retirement in 1982, he was employed for more than 37 years by the Southern New England Telephone Co. George was active in Columbia politics serving as the vice chairman of the Democratic Town Committee and as a selectman. He conceived the idea and was project manager for the conversion of the original Saxton B.Little Library to The Meeting Place in Columbia's center. He also served as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. George was a charter member of the Columbia Volunteer Fire Dept. and the Columbia Lions Club. He was also a member of the B.P.O. Elks in Willimantic and the Telephone Pioneers of America. He served as a delegate to the President's Conference on Occupational Safety in Washington, D.C. in the 1960's. George also served as a corporator of the Windham Community Memorial Hospital. He enjoyed his retirement years spending summers on Columbia Lake and the winter months in Ft. Myers. In addition to his wife Jean, he is survived by 3 sons; George E. Peters Jr. and his wife Janice of Rumford, R.I. and their two children Amy Peters of Arlington, MA. and Justin Peters of Providence, R.I. , Thomas B. Peters and his wife Sharen of Mansfield, and Craig L. Peters and his wife Joyce of Columbia and their two children, Jenna Henderson and her husband John of Columbia and Erin Peters of Columbia. His family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic on Monday from 6:00 to 8:00pm. His funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 10:00am at the Columbia Congregational Church, Rte 87, Columbia, with burial following the West St. Cemetery, Columbia. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial donations to either the Columbia Volunteer Fire Dept. P.O. Box 26, Columbia, Ct. 06237 or to the Columbia Lions Club, P.O. Box 1, Columbia. Please visit at www.potterfh.com for online memorial guestbook and directions.