West Rutland, VT Albert E. Peterson Albert (Al) E. Peterson 86, died Friday afternoon February 4, 2011 at Rutland Healthcare & Rehab after a period of declining health. He was born April 12, 1924 in Proctor, Vermont, the son of the late Harry & Ethel (Peterson) Peterson. He was a graduate of Proctor High School and Thomas S. Clarkson Memorial College of Technology (Clarkson University), School of Engineering. He was a United States Army Veteran and served with Company C, 101st Engineers, 26th Infantry Division in WW II. He took part in the invasion of Europe at Mohawk Beach and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant, Yankee Division in the Korean War. He was employed as an engineer at General Electric, Columbia Bicycles, Aerotherm Industries and in 1960 went to work for IBM Federal Systems Division as an Industrial Engineer at Owego NY where he worked until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Owego United Methodist Church for 40 years and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He was a member and Past Master of Friendship Lodge # 153 Free & Accepted Masons. Al and his wife moved back to Vermont in 2002 to be near their daughter. He became a member of the Rutland United Methodist Church and of the Gilman Chapter # 88 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of the Rutland American Legion Post # 31 and for awhile was active with the Rutland County Democrats. He was devoted to his family and his church. He was a man whose cup was never half empty, but always half full. He is survived by his wife Geraldine (Gerry) Peterson who he married October 18, 1947 in Pulteney, NY; his two sons, Eric Peterson & his wife Barbara, of Nichols, NY; Mark Peterson & his wife Joann, of Nichols, NY; by his daughter, Ellen Wakker, of West Rutland; by his ten grandchildren, his five great-grandchildren his cousin, Laurel MacMahon of Rutland, VT; and his daughter #2 Judy Blair of Clarendon, VT. He was predeceased by his parents, his aunt Linnea Anderson, brother Harry E. Peterson and several cousins. Memorial services will be held in both Rutland VT and Owego, NY at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Gilman Chapter # 88 O.E.S. - c/o Clara Classens at 5 General Wing Road, Apt. 106, Rutland, VT 05701 or to Friendship Lodge # 153 c/o Mark Titus at 1114 State Road, Rte. 38B Newark Valley, NY 13811, the Lutheran Church in Proctor, VT, the Rutland United Methodist Church and the Owego United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ducharme Funeral Home in Castleton. www.ducharmefuneralhome.com