Melvin “Pete” Oscar Peterson, a former president and union rep for Bakers Local 364, passed away Dec. 5 — 16 days shy of his 84th birthday.
Peterson worked at Nabisco in Portland for 36 years and was a 62-year member of Local 364.
He took a break from his bakery job for two years (1950-52) to serve in the Army during the Korean Conflict.
He left Nabisco in 1985 to go to work for the union. He retired in 1989.
Peterson served as president of the local for 20 years.
Peterson was born in Gennessee Township, Minnesota on Dec. 21, 1927.
He married Gladys Madeline Babcock in 1972. The couple was married for 30 years and traveled around the world. They had no children. She passed away May 2, 2002.
Peterson left portions of his estate to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Providence Child Center, Ronald McDonald House, and Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
Funeral arrangement were handled by Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes.
