Jerry Lee Peterson

April 29, 1941 – April 15, 2024

The family of Jerry Peterson announce his passing on April 15, 2024 at the age of 82.

Jerry, with his parents, Glen and Blanche and sister Penny, moved to Douglas Manor in 1952. He attended P.S. 98 and graduated from Bayside High School. He then attended Vaughn College of Aeronautics in East Elmhurst after which he worked with his father in the Photo Lab business. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves over in Germany from 1964-1969,

Jerry married Carol Ann Herlihy in 1964 and in 1969 they purchased their forever home on Ridge Road in Douglas Manor, raising their three children, Wendy, David and Daniel. He opened his own Photo Lab business in Manhattan and helmed the company throughout the 1970’s and into the 1980s.

Jerry was an avid golfer and also quite the handyman, with a great understanding of structural, electrical and plumbing design tackling his own home improvements as well as lending a hand with the homes of his brothers-in-law, Bob and Neil Herlihy.

His hobbies were photography, gardening and stamp collecting, filling volumes of stamp books throughout his life. He enjoyed playing and watching sports with his sons, watching classic movies and old westerns, and getting together with family for holidays and summer barbecues.

After his wife passed away in 2007, Jerry would visit Carol’s grave once a week to make sure it always looked beautiful and well kept. He was a kind man with a big heart and donated to many veteran, animal and children’s charities. He was a huge animal lover, always having dogs and cats in his life, along with an occasional bird or rabbit.

Jerry and his sister were adopted by the Petersons and in the years since Carol’s passing, he became more curious about the whereabouts of his birth family. In 2017, and with help from his son Daniel, he connected with three of his five birth siblings. Two years later, he learned he had another six half siblings for a total of twelve and in September 2019, he traveled to Indiana to finally meet some of his relatives.

Jerry is survived by his daughter Wendy Sidello, and sons David and Daniel, and his three grandchildren, Carlena Sidello, Grant and Keira. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to Wounded Warrior Project or Luke’s Wings.

Veterans Charity – Non Profit Organization for Veterans | WWP (woundedwarriorproject.org)

Home – Luke’s Wings – Flying Families. Lifting Spirits. (lukeswings.org)