Laird Peterson

A Funeral Service for Laird P. Peterson will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Augustine of Canterbury Angelican Church. Laird P. Peterson of Orland, CA, died on Sunday, March 18, 2012, after a long courageous battle with Esophageal Cancer. Born November 9, 1941 in Berkely, CA to Harvey and Valerie Peterson, Laird was raised in Paradise, CA, where he attended Paradise High School. Laird excelled in Football, Baseball and Art, and upon graduation in 1960, he received scholarships in Baseball and Art; attending Oakland Arts and Crafts College. Eventually, skills learned in the family trade, combined with his artistic knowledge, Laird partnered with a friend to start their own Painting Contracting business in Sacramento, CA, doing commercial and industrial painting. During this time, Laird served on numerous Boards in various positions within the industry, Painters and Decorators Council of America, Negotiator, and Sacramento Painters Union Local 487. Laird retired from the industry in late 1977, opting for a life on the Coastal Waters of the Pacific Northwest town in Trinidad, CA, where he purchased a small fishing resort, and a bigger boat, and went fishing. The ocean is where Laird was at peace. He fished the California, Oregon Washington and the treacherous waters of Alaska for salmon and crab, for sport and commericial purposes. He was a member of The Pacific Fisheries Management Council, and also coached a Pop Warner Football Team in McKinleyville, CA. Eventually, returning to the painting industry in 1987, Laird became Owner and President of Peterson's Painting Service, Inc., Chico/Orland, CA. Laird married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Murphy, in 1962 and they had 50 wonderful years of marriage. Laird is survived by his wife Wanda; three children, Paula, Pam and Laird II; and five grandchildren, Michael, Travis, Terra, Tyler and Kristen. A Viewing will be held from 5 - 8 p.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012 at Brusie Funeral Home in Chico. If you would like to make a contribution in lieu of flowers, please contact Paradise Hospise, Feather River Hospital, Paradise, CA. Arrangements are under the direction of Brusie Funeral Home.