John Manfred Peterson Sr.

birthday. John passed away on his way to the Seattle Yacht Club to have a

birthday dinner with close friends. He had spent the afternoon with family

and visited with grandchildren and great grandchildren on Face Time. He

left us on a day when his heart was full of love and laughter.

He will be missed by his two sons; Marty (Debbie) Peterson and

Dean (Cindy) Peterson. John was dearly loved by his six grandchildren:

Laura, Carver, Kelly, Carolyn, Greta and Carly and his 8 great

grandchildren: Aiden, Zophia, Trace, Addison, Stig, Oslo, Ellsley and

Westin. Barbara Reid, a niece who was more like a daughter will miss him.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Suzanne in 2013 and eldest son

John Manfred in 1973. John was the son of Swedish immigrants Manfred

and Olive Peterson, born in Seattle on Sept 19, 1922. He was

predeceased by two sisters: June Peterson and Marilyn (& Bill) Bradshaw.

John spent his childhood near the shores of Portage Bay, becoming a

member of the Seattle Yacht Club as a teenager. He attended Garfield High

School and Whitman College. Joining the Air Force in the middle of his

college years to serve as a pilot during World War II. When he returned

home from the service he partnered with his father to run Pioneer Fruit

Company, the family business. John, known as ‘Bud’ was well known in

the wholesale produce world.

On Feb 5, 1949 John married Suzanne Anderson. They were married

for 64 years. Together they spent many happy years cruising the Salish

Sea in their sailboat Trio. They were active members of the Seattle Yacht

Club. Later in life they traveled the whole of the North American continent

in their motorhome. Socially and physically active, they participated in

tennis tournaments, golf, dance club and skied with the infamous Ancient

Skiers Club.

John had a sense of humor that could light up the room. He was a

great story teller, loved a good joke, played a mean game of cribbage and

was the life of the any party. John was well loved by many and will be

remembered as a good friend and a happy man.

A small family gathering will be held in John’s honor at Acacia

Memorial Park. Condolences and stories may be shared on this website.