BANGOR and AURORA – Peter Charles Larson died peacefully March 15, 2009, in Bangor. Peter was born Sept. 29, 1921, in Elizabeth, N.J., the son of Hans Peter Larson and Alma (Cross) Larson. As a young man, Peter developed a great love for the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Beginning at an early age, Peter assisted his father raising hunting and show dogs. One of these dogs was an Irish setter named Cloudburst Red, who was the world’s first AKC Field and Show double champion. Peter was very proud of this family accomplishment. Peter also trapped muskrat, mink and raccoon throughout New Jersey. In 1943, he headed to Maine in search of more trapping opportunities and found them in the Aurora area. In 1953, he purchased The Birches, hunting and fishing camps in Aurora. He and his two brothers, Arthur and Robert, guided sportsmen in the Aurora area until the mid-60s. Peter was also the first tri-county deputy sheriff in the state of Maine when he served in Penobscot, Hancock and Washington counties and was responsible for patrolling the Airline Road from Brewer to Calais for more than 25 years. Peter was the driving force in establishing the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department in 1975 and was a member for more than 25 years. In addition to these activities, Peter was an electrician, a master oil burner man and managed several Christmas tree farms. He was also a very gifted wood worker, making furniture and woodcarvings in his spare time. Peter enjoyed fixing anything in need of repair and frequently helped family, friends and neighbors. In his later years, he spent his spare time doing special projects with his two beautiful grandchildren, Sarah and Erin, who he loved and cared for very much. Since the passing of his wife, his love of nature and art lead him to a very special relationship with the Penobscot Nation. He was adopted by Arnie Neptune and cherished the relationships that occurred as a result of Arnie’s friendship. Peter was loved and will be dearly missed by survivors including his daughter, Bridget A. Larson; son, Patrick C. Larson and his wife, Laurie and granddaughters, Sarah Elizabeth and Erin Patricia; brother, Robert A. Larson; sister-in-law, Louise Larson; brother-in-law, Lee Sirabella; nieces, Laurie Sirabella, Julie Whitney, Robin Clarke and Krissy Larson; nephews, Noel and David Sirabella, Charlie and David McLuskey, and Arthur Larson; many other close friends and extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife, Helen “Pat” Larson; his sister, Jane McLuskey; his brother, Arthur Larson; sister-in-law, Stella Sirabella; and his Yorkshire terrier, Buster. Family and friends may visit 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, March 20, at Amherst-Aurora Congregational Church, UCC. Interment will be in the spring at Aurora Cemetery. Peter’s family invites you to join them after the service for a time of fellowship and refreshments at Osborn Community Center. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Amherst Church, care of E. Martin, P.O. Box 25, Aurora, ME 04408 or Aurora Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 33, Aurora, ME 04408. Condolences may be offered at www.kileyandfoley.com.
PETER C. LARSON ‘GRANDFATHER PETE’
