Alton "Al" Paul Peterson

Alton "Al" Paul Peterson, of West Allis, WI, passed away at home surrounded by family and friends after a 7 year battle with prostate cancer at the age of 67. He was born July 29, 1949 in Menominee, MI to the late Alvin and Stella (Malecki) Peterson. He grew up in the Pound area and attended Beaver grade school and Coleman High School, where he met his future wife Patricia Olsheske. After high school, Al attended United Technical Institute of Milwaukee for electronics. Right after graduating he was hired at General Electric Medical Systems. He was drafted into the US Army in the fall of 1969 after which he resumed his job with GE where he worked for the next 37 years until his retirement in 2005. Al had many interests in his life. He volunteered for the Jackson Park 4th of July Committee to help with the fireworks display. He was an American Legion member, post 537 for 38 years. While at GE he was on the fire brigade, toxic chemical response, emergency response team, ECCO and The United Way. Al was a union steward for 25 of his 37 years at GE and a member of the Lodge No 1916 International Union of IAMAW and also a representative of the Milwaukee County Labor Council of Wisconsin. He helped many people at GE cope with different situations on the job. Al & Pat married April 8, 1972 at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Pound, WI. After their wedding in Pound, they made their home in West Allis where they raised their three children, Tracy Champagne (Dan Sims), Kelly Dominski (Dan), and Eric Peterson (Jennifer Russell). Between the three of them they blessed Grandma and Grandpa with ten grandchildren: Alexis Rose Champagne, Nicholas Lee Champagne, and Joseph Paul Champagne, Brian Christian Otto, Vincent Michael Dominski, and Stella Marie Dominski, Evan Honor Peterson, Kendal Kelley Peterson, Killian Grace Peterson and Claire Ava Peterson. Papa Al entertained his grandkids on a weekly basis with his stories of his life as a child and his adult wisdom. They thought the world of him and said he was a really "cool guy." Al was a West Allis Police Reserve member for the last 30 years and then became a co-captain 2 ½ years ago. He helped with food drives, Special Olympics, chicken barbecue and run/walk events. Al also helped run the police department shooting league with Bob & Andy and was captain of his area Neighborhood Watch for over 40 years. Al has many relatives and friends that loved and respected him. He was especially close to his "up north cousins" and the GE "four couples". Al will be truly missed by his mother-in-law Betty Olsheske, sisters-in-law Janet Rakowski and Mary (Mike) Jakopovich, nephews Keith (Jeannie), Kurt (Jenny) and Corey (Kim) Rakowski and David (Kathy) Jakopovich and nieces Diane (Roger) Benoit, Wendy (Jay) Dvorak, and Mary Lou (Bruce) Zulke. He was preceded in death by his parents and his half-brother Jerry Rakowski. He was a kind and patient man. He was a great dad and loving grandfather. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time up north on his land and, especially, spending time with family and friends. The visitation for Al will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. Noon until the time of the 3:00 p.m. funeral service at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd. Waukesha, WI 53188. Full military honors will immediately follow. The Deacon Jack Champagne will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401.