Harold J Peterson

It is with the most incredible sadness that we announce the passing of Harold Joseph Peterson. He went home to Jesus on June 24, 2022 after a brief illness. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. Harold was born on April 22, 1945 to Harold Nathaniel and Loretta Peterson, the first of three children. He grew up primarily in Rockland County and graduated from Albertus Magnus High School (class of 1963), where he met his future bride, the former Stella Cuomo. He went to Iona College, graduating in 1967.

He served two years in the United States Army, where he became an expert in the Pershing Missile. He became the first NCO to teach the class and was later inducted into the Pershing Guided Missile Hall of Fame.

Harold was known for his charitable work, which included the Arthritis Foundation, Good Samaritan Hospital, Nyack Hospital, United Hospice of Rockland, Child Care Resources of Rockland, Meals on Wheels, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Arc of Rockland, and numerous other organizations.

Harold served as the Finance Commissioner of Rockland until 1992 before going onto a successful career in banking, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President of Sterling National Bank. He also served on the board of the Rockland Business Association.

Harold was a faithful Catholic and a parishioner at St. Augustine's Church in New City.

He was a lifelong Yankee fan who loved to play golf and poker, but his first love was always his family.

Harold is predeceased by his parents and is survived by his wife Stella, his daughter Melissa and her husband Michael Feltham, his son Michael and his wife Kathleen Peterson, his sister Kathleen and her husband Tasos Iacovides, his sister Mary and her husband Richard Murphy, his five grandchildren Kara, Emma, Jack, Kaitlyn, and Anna, and numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Harold lived a life of service to his family, his community, and his country. He was a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, businessman, military veteran, public servant, humanitarian, follower of Christ, and one of the most recognizable people in Rockland County.

The wake will be at Higgins in New City on Wednesday June 29 from 3:00-8:00PM and the funeral Mass will be held at St. Augustine's in New City on Thursday June 30 at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers, his family is requesting that donations be sent to any of the following: American Heart Association, Arc of Rockland, Good Samaritan Hospital (Suffern).