Phillip Thomas Peterson

Phillip Thomas Peterson, age 83, went home to be with the Lord on December 2, 2019. Phil was born May 11, 1936 in Hartford, Connecticut to Arthur and Ruth Peterson. He married the love of his life, Marie Leogrande on June 6, 1964.

Phil was a gentle, kind, loving, generous man who loved God above all, and his family and friends.

Phil graduated from Buckley High school in Hartford, CT. He received an honorable discharge from the US Air Force in 1962. He planned to venture to California until he met Marie a month before being discharged; he ultimately stayed in Utica. He and Marie began their life together when they were married two years later. Phil received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications & Psychology from the State University of NY (SUNY). He was supervisor of Information systems at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica and was employed by the Pinellas County School System after relocating to Largo, Florida in 1978. Phil happily retired in 2000 as Supervisor of Information Systems after 22 years of service. He was truly loved and respected by his colleagues.

Phil was a cross country runner in high school. He loved tennis and often golfed with coworkers in Utica. Not only was he astute in his career, but also extremely skilled as a handyman. He and Marie’s Dad spent a year building a multi-level home on a hill in Frankfort, NY.

Phil became a born-again believer in 1980 and loved the Lord with all his heart. He and Marie served at several churches they attended. They would visit and pray with those in nursing facilities, hospitals or at home; he loved that ministry.

When Erika attended UF, Phil loved attending the football games. Each time he and Marie spent time with Erika and family, he would always comment that they had the most awesome family in the world. Grampy, as he was called by the girls, loved to joke around with them and he would "steal" their food at the dinner table. He loved hearing about their school/work and giving them math tips. Phil also loved to watch any sports game with John but especially his favorite basketball team, The Golden State Warriors. He especially liked Steph Curry. He enjoyed when he and Marie got together with friends for lunch. He always loved attending services at church.

Phil was an only child. His Dad, Arthur Cedric Peterson passed away in 1976. His Mom, Ruth Mahoney Peterson passed in 1975, just 89 days after Phil's Dad passed. Marie’s Dad, Cosmo Leogrande, whom Phil loved, predeceased him in 1991. Marie’s Mom, Marie Valenzano Leogrande predeceased him in 2007.

Phil is survived by his loving wife Marie, daughter Erika Nelson, his "favorite" son-in-law John Nelson, his granddaughters Amanda Marie Nelson, Marisa Joanne Nelson and Gabrielle Grace Nelson; Patricia Leogrande Aceto, sister-in-law, whom he considered a sister, Frank Aceto, brother-in-law, whom he thought of as a brother, Shane Cosmo Aceto, nephew, and Kayla Marie, favorite great niece.

Please join us in celebrating Phil's life at 2 pm on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home. You are welcome to join the reception at John & Erika Nelson's home following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Community Hospice, an amazing organization that touches patients’ and families’ lives each day. https://www.communityhospice.com/give/

Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills

Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 pm

850 St. Johns Bluff Rd. N.

Jacksonville, FL 32225