James Petersen

Weymouth, MA

James A. “Jim” Petersen, 89, died January 21, 2026, comfortably at home after a brief illness. Jim suffered for the past several years with severe rheumatoid arthritis. Jim was born June 20, 1936, and was a life-long resident of Weymouth. He was the son of the late Alfred Petersen and Anne “Mini” Zeoli and the stepson of the late Martin Zeoli.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years Elaine (Eacobacci) Petersen, his sister Deborah Johansson and her husband Lee, his three sons – Steven and his wife Liz; Gary; Scott and his wife Ellen; six grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and two expectant great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Kathleen, a “sister-aunt” to his sons who was very involved in assistance with Jim’s care during final months.

Jim was the brother of the late Alfred Petersen. Jim worked with Al for several years helping him establish a successful sheet metal business. He enjoyed a special relationship with his baby sister Deb exchanging comical birthday cards for many years. He fondly nicknamed her “Flo” due to her uncanny resemblance and mannerisms of the same character from the Carol Burnet show. 

Jim and Elaine were inseparable and known “as one” together as a couple. They spent many summers boating and fishing on Boston Harbor. They had several memorable vacations together traveling to Aruba and driving across country.

Jim and his eldest son Steven shared a knowledge of engineering and design. Jim was proud of Steve’s accomplishments as an entrepreneur and Chemical Engineer. Jim and son Gary also enjoyed a unique relationship, working shoulder to shoulder at the family compound maintaining the property.

He also enjoyed a common interest in real estate and construction with youngest son Scott. Most recently, Scott helped him fulfill a lifelong dream to construct a waterfront vacation home in Freetown Mass.

Jim was also very proud of his grandchildren and their many accomplishments. Cassandra and Gary (children of Gary) and Kelly, Claire, James and Joseph (children of Scott).

Jim graduated from Weymouth Vocational High School in 1955 and was the President of his class. He served in the United States Air Force reserves for five and a half years during the 1950’s.

He started his career working as a shipfitter for Bethlehem Steel at the Quincy shipyard graduating first in his apprenticeship class. After the shipyard, he joined Local #17 Sheet Metal Workers Union and worked nearly five decades as a foreman. He was proud of many projects including the Hancock Tower, Boston Architectural Center, Boston City Hospital and Cape Cod Community College. Later he worked as an instructor at King Phillip and Weymouth Vocational High Schools where he taught mathematics, sheet metal and welding. He finished his career working at the MBTA supervising a fabrication shop.

Jim was an avid golfer, tennis player and gardener. He and our mom enjoyed fishing and lobstering on their boat “Sunday’s Child”. An inventor at heart, Jim enjoyed making and experimenting with different golf club designs. He built and mailed a “carpenter hammer head” putter to the late Arnold Palmer, his favorite golfer, and got a thankyou note in return which he framed. He loved gardening and enjoyed giving away loads of fresh vegetables and flowers to family and friends (much like his stepfather Marty).

Jim was proud of the home he and Elaine built in the 1960’s. They raised three sons there. It was on the same street where Jim and Elaine had grown up as childhood sweethearts. The house was a homestead built on land farmed by Elaine’s grandparents in prior generations. The home was later expanded with help from friends and family to include handicap accessible features for Elaine which later served them both. Jim also generously gave his construction time and talents to friends and family.

In 1955, he was a finalist in the AAU New England wrestling championship tournament. In 1965, he and his long-time golf partner, Roger Longmire, won first place in the Ponkapoag member-guest tournament. He also won the longest drive competition the following year.

Jim loved having company and seeing friends. He enjoyed talking about his faith over a cup of tea or a meal. He and mom cherished the friendship of many over the years who would stop by to visit.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, January 28th, from 4 - 7PM at the C.C. Shepherd Funeral Home, 134 Pleasant Street South Weymouth MA.

A memorial service and Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, January 29th starting at 1PM at Crossroads Worship Center located at 241 Broad Street Weymouth MA. Please come and enjoy a meal in Jim’s honor.

Memorial Contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to:

Croi Health (Formerly Norwell NVNA and Hospice) by clicking here

And/Or

CrossRoads Worship Center, 241 Broad Street, Weymouth MA 02188