Earl Otto Peterson was born in Bangor, Maine on 11/15/1932, the son of Carl Frederick and Emily Sargent Peterson. Earl grew up in Bangor until his junior year in High School. He and his family moved to Portland where Earl attended Portland High School, graduating in 1951. Earl met the love of his life, Yvonne, in his senior year. Earl was devastated when his Father announced he was moving to San Bernadino, CA. Earl thought he should accompany his Father, but told Yvonne he would be back. Turns out the heat was too much for his Father, so the two of them returned sooner than expected. Yvonne was so happy to see Earl. She didn't think she would ever see him again. They were married a few months later. They would have celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in August of 2001, but Yvonne passed away in May of that year. Earl is predeceased by his mother, Emily Sargent Peterson; his father, Carl Frederick; his older brother, Carl Frederick, Jr. who was killed in action in 1945 in Okinawa, Japan during World War I l at the age of 19; his sister, Ellen Casale; his half-brother, Frank Sargent; his half-sister, Madeline Shaw; his half-sister Dorothy; his half-sister, Adele; and his beloved wife, Yvonne Yates Peterson. Survivors are Earl and Yvonne's eldest son, David C. Peterson and partner, Beata; son Bruce M. Peterson and wife Lourdes; daughter Julie Foster; daughter Lisa Peterson and partner Steve Kozlovich; grandsons Bruce E. Peterson and partner Kim; David R. Peterson and wife Tracie; Lucas Peterson and wife Tandra; Nicholas Dimastrantonio; Ryan Dimastrantonio; Chad Peterson; granddaughter Holly Peterson Dodge and husband Josh; as well as eight great-grandchildren, Braydon, Reece, Araia, Elliot, Emmy, Brielle, Trystan and Sydan. Earl and his family spent many years vacationing at their camp on Big Lake and then on West Grand in Grand Lake Stream, Maine. Earl's wife was born and raised in GLS. This was her favorite place to be on a Summer day. Earl accompanied his Wife, Yvonne, at the annual Portland Sidewalk Art Festival for many years. Yvonne was a talented artist who displayed paintings for sale each year. Earl would make custom picture frames for all of her paintings. Earl was also handy around the house, building porches and steps over the years and even helped with the building of their camp on West Grand Lake. Earl retired in 1992 after working in the repack room at the Hannaford Bros. Warehouse in South Portland for 28 years. Earl and Yvonne spent Winters in Panama City Beach, Florida for several years and were members of Noah's Ark, where they made a special circle of close friends. Earl continued to go to Panama City Beach after Yvonne passed away. Earl loved driving and would look forward to the drive from Maine to Florida and back every year. Earl loved Disney World and was able to go several times. He enjoyed staying at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort inside Disney World. Earl was a great horseshoe player, loved going to Bingo and adventuring to Las Vegas. Earl and Yvonne were members of the Elvis Fan Club, going to Graceland and helping to open and clean Camp Sunshine very Spring.