Francis A. Peters, 76
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Francis A. Peters, 76, of 104 Johnson St., a longtime Northern Berkshire businessman, died Friday, April 6, 2001, at home. He owned and operated the former Fran Peters Arco Service Station on the corner of River and Eagle streets.
Born in North Adams on May 23, 1924, son of Roger S. and Tamara Simon Peters, he attended North Adams schools and graduated from the former St. Joseph's High School.
He joined the Army in February 1943, serving with the 1282 Engineer Combat Battalion in Europe as a private, first class. He re-enlisted in 1945 and served with the 16th Military Police Platoon at Ladd Field in Alaska.
Mr. Peters was employed by a commercial fishing company in Alaska for a year before returning to Berkshire County, where he worked as a carpenter. In 1954, he opened the service station and also owned and operated Fran's Auto Sales at the same location for several years, until retiring in 1986.
A communicant of St. Francis' Church, he was a life member of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion and Dr. George L. Curran Post 996 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association and the National Skeet Shooting Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, skeet shooting, playing golfing and snowmobiling.
He leaves his wife of 44 years, the former Helen Mancuso, whom he married April 21, 1956, in St. Francis' Church; three daughters, Tamara S. "Tammy" Peters of Amsterdam, N.Y., and twins, Ann Louise West and Mary Frances Capehart, both of Stamford, Vt., and a sister, Evelyn Gallese of North Adams.
He was predeceased by three sisters and two brothers, Lillian Novak, Adele Shaker, Isabel Peters, John Peters and Alfred Peters.
FUNERAL NOTICE - Funeral services for Mr. Peters will be Tuesday morning at 9:15 at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, North Adams. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Southview Cemetery, North Adams.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations are suggested for the St. Francis' Church Building Fund or to VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire through the funeral home.