Stanley William Peterson

Stanley William Peterson Jr., was born on July 14, 1950, the son of Stanley William Peterson Sr. and Mary Peterson. Stan, known by many as Billy, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded-as he would have wanted-by family.

Stan grew up in Belfast and graduated from Belfast Area High School in 1968 before going on to Gorham Teachers College. He married his high school sweetheart, Arneta Pinkham, and together they built a life in Old Town, the place Stan proudly called home for the rest of his days.

For 40+ years, Stan taught shop at Old Town High School, shaping generations of students with equal parts discipline, humor, and heart. Teaching was never just a job to him-it was a calling. His classroom extended far beyond four walls, and many students later realized they'd learned as much about life as they had about the subject at hand.

Stan lived his life out loud. He was gregarious, endlessly resourceful, and famously possessed of a get-it-done attitude that made him the person everyone called when something needed leadership, fixing, or improvement-often all at once. He gave freely of his time and energy, serving his community through more organizations than anyone could reasonably list, and likely a few he never officially joined but somehow still ran.

He was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife Arneta, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage; and his brother-in-law, Jim Brunette, his nephew Jesse Peterson, and fathers-in-law Roscoe Pinkham and Shawn Betterley.

Stan is survived by his loving wife, Rachel Peterson; his children, Danny Peterson, Kevin Peterson (Amanda Sidell), Amanda Peterson (Joe Riley), Vova Kondratenok, Emma Burditt (Gabriel Burditt), and Robert Demmons; his mothers-in-law, Dora Pinkham and Robin Betterley; as well as his grandchildren, Soren Peterson, Bodie Peterson, Ruslan Kondratenok, Robin Burditt, and Alastor Demmons, (each of whom knew him as Beepa).

He is also survived by his siblings, Sharon Brunette and Jim Peterson (Mary Lou Peterson); many nieces and nephews (Matt Peterson, Brian and Erica Brunette); and his cherished lifelong friends and chosen family, Joe and Sue Cyr.

Stan will be remembered for his big personality, his deep sense of service, his unwavering loyalty, and his remarkable ability to take care of everyone around him-sometimes whether they asked for it or not. His legacy lives on in his family, his students, his community, and the countless lives made better simply because Stan was part of them. His life reminds us to show up, take care of one another, and above all... ENJOY LIFE

A celebration of life will be held on March 8th at The Old Town/Orono YMCA from 12 Noon - 3pm. Come when you can and as you are. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Old Town/Orono YMCA, or - true to Stan's legacy consider honoring him by volunteering in your community.