Obituary of Edward H. Peterson

Edward Harrison Peterson, best known as Eddie, of Watkins Glen, NY, born November 14, 1953, died Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at the age of 71 from pancreatic cancer.

Eddie grew up in Chemung, New York and graduated from Waverly High School in 1971. He enlisted in the US Air Force as soon as he turned 18 and served three tours as a patrol dog handler at the air base in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. Upon returning home he worked for Chemung Spring Water, and finally took a job at the Elmira Correctional Facility, retiring after 25 years of service in 2006.

Eddie had many hobbies and pastimes from the time he learned how to fish and hunt with his dad as a young boy, to his love of sailing on Seneca Lake, (his friends at the Village Marina jokingly dubbed him The Sailing Fool because he would go out in any kind of weather; the windier, the better). He loved gardening and took great pride especially in growing his hot peppers, tomatoes, and garlic. Just ask anyone who was lucky enough to receive a bag of his produce. He was always ready with a story or two about the years he spent in Thailand as a patrol dog handler, and the many dogs he trained and worked with. If you run into him in Heaven, ask him about the Skippy story. He had even more great stories about the good friends he worked with at the Elmira Correctional Facility, including the story about a bat sandwich left in the fridge for a notorious sandwich thief to find, let's just say that guy was cured of stealing food from that day on. He always said having good friends you can count on in a job like that makes a tough job bearable, they all knew they could count on Eddie to have their back, and he knew they would always be there for him, too.

Always a hard worker, Eddie often took extra overtime shifts, as well as side jobs rototilling and window washing to earn extra income for his family, often refusing to take payment from his elderly customers and veterans. He was an avid follower of current events, finance, economics, politics, geography, and world history, especially World War II and the war in Vietnam. These interests made him very good at crossword puzzles, which he did together with his wife Ellen, every day with their morning coffee. On any given evening you could find him admiring and organizing his collection of sea shells with a cold one nearby. He loved the people he loved fully, openly, and whole heartedly and made sure they all new it, often helping in any way he could with a generous heart.

Eddie was predeceased by his parents Clair Jr. and Christine Peterson, and his father- and mother-in-law Bill and Joan Oaks, who called him their favorite son-in-law, and brothers-in-law Jon Oaks and Tod Oaks

He is survived by his wife Ellen of 34 years, whom he met on a blind date, daughter Lizzy Peterson (Chris Farrick) from Turners Falls, Massachusetts, daughter Perry Peterson (Steve Kellis) from Royersford, Pennsylvania, and son Nate (Keira) Peterson from Asheville, North Carolina; sisters, Donna (Pete) Gliha, and Ronda (Butch) Loomis, both of Horseheads, New York. And of course, his beloved German Shepherd, Norman.

There are no services planned at this time.