Thomas C. 'Tom' Peterson

BESSEMER, Mich. — Thomas C. “Tom” Peterson, 60, a longtime resident of Bessemer, passed away Friday, July 12, 2013, at his home, with his loving family by his side.

He was born on Sept. 22, 1952, in Wakefield, the son of Oscar “Kuse” and Rose “Dolly” (Mussatti) Peterson. Tom attended Ramsay School and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer in 1970. He continued his education at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood.

Tom was a self-employed electrician and for many years worked at the Bessemer Plywood Corp. In 2000, he was employed by TransCanada Pipeline in Wakefield and retired in June 2012 due to health reasons.

Tom was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting and fishing, and spending time at the cottage at Lake Gogebic and the camp in South Ramsay.

For many years, he was a volunteer firefighter for the Bessemer Volunteer Fire Department and also served as chief.

Tom is survived by his wife of 24 years, Terry; two children, Luke, Bessemer, and Jessie, Rochester, Minn .; two grandchildren, Landon and Olivia, both of Bessemer; a sister, Sharon (Brad) Burke, Portland, Ore .; two brothers, Mike, Ramsay, and Ron (Jean), Bessemer; a special niece, Samantha, and nephew, Bradley, both of Bessemer; his former wife and mother of his children, Andrene Peterson, Bessemer; three brothers-in-law, Bernie Jacobson, Bessemer, Bruce (Heather) Jacobson, Ramsay, and Brian Jacobson, Marquette; his mother-in-law, Barbara Watilo, Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his father-in-law, Bunny Jacobson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, July 16, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Lunch will be served in Father Swoboda Hall at the church following the Mass.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at lakesidememorialchapel.com.