Jon Peters, 79, former teacher, coach at GMUHS
The Chester Telegraph | Nov 05, 2020 | Comments 10
Jon was born July 19, 1941 in Springfield, the son of Walter and Delina Peters.
He graduated from Springfield High School in 1959 and Lyndon State College in 1963, earning a bachelor’s degree in education.
On Aug. 21, 1965, Mr. Peters married Lucille Sadie Limoges in Newport, Vt.
He began his 43-year teaching career at The Weston School teaching grades 6 through 8. He then taught science and math at the Flood Brook Union School. In 1979, he joined Green Mountain Union High School, teaching science while coaching track, basketball and cross country for many years. Jon retired from teaching in 2006, and continued coaching track until 2010.
Jon served his community throughout his life. During his time in Chester, he spearheaded the fundraising effort to build an athletic track, volunteered on the ambulance squad, ski patrol and with the Knights of Columbus of St. Joseph’s Parish, just to name a few. He was known for his passion and willingness to help others and his community.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, camping and boating with family and friends. He walked daily in the woods with a setter by his side.
He is survived by Lucy, his loving wife of 55 years, and three children: Sarah (Jim) Michaelson of Charlotte, N.C.; Jeremy (Rachel) Peters of Landgrove; and Jessica Graf of Illinois. Other survivors include a brother, Carl of New London, N.H. Jon is also survived by nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be no calling hours or funeral, but a memorial will be held at a later date with details published at that time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jon M. Peters Memorial Scholarship Fund by clicking here. This Memorial Scholarship Fund will support community-minded student athletes at Green Mountain Union High School in Vermont.
Filed Under: Obituaries
Dearest Lucy:
It seems you may have had some time to prepare yourself for this (though losing a life partner is one of the hardest things in this world), and I am so sorry for your loss!
I send you my heartfelt prayers and sincere condolences! Your man was a good one and one with whom I have so many fond memories! He was my introduction to GMUHS and then working with him as coach were some of the best days ever in my life!
We had untold amounts of fun and success coaching together though we made it all consuming which as you know wasn’t good for our respective relationships! You had to chase him home on far too many occasions!
Lucy, Jon (the two of you really) will always hold a special place in my heart as I was starting a new life in a very new place! You both welcomed me, accepted me, and kept me honest by dishing out in my direction when it was needed.
I hope you are doing OK and that both your kids and grandkids are around during this most difficult time! Pass my best to all who might remember me! Thinking fondly of you during this hard time. Peace in struggle . . .
Much love and gratitude always,
Jay
It was an honor to teach in the Green Mountain Middle School with Jon Peters. He was an exciting science teacher who engaged his students in experiments such as collecting and studying pond water and other specimens of the forest.
Early on, the Green Mountain track was just a dirt circle behind the school. After Jon achieved his dream of transforming it into a state-of-the-art track, it became a magnet for other schools and host to state championships, organized by Jon.
He also organized cross country meets at the town pool every fall, without fail. Once, as a tribute to a young district teacher with cancer, Jon held an overnight marathon in the gymnasium.
He was also a wonderful father and grandfather. He and Lucy gave tirelessly to our school.
I am sorry for Jon Peters’ family. I am sorry for the town of Chester.
Jane (Furlong) Rawley
Dear Lucy, Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
How good to be together for 55 years – how much harder to say farewell.
Buffy & Nick Boke
now living in Chester VT
Sorry for your loss. A great teacher
I’m sad to see this; my condolences to Lucy and the rest of the family. Jon was well liked by his students for the stories he told and the life insights he often provided them on whatever topic came to his mind.
Jon, I hope all of your passed English Setters are back by your side and the bird covers are productive wherever you are are.
It saddens me to hear of Mr. Peters’ passing. He was a great teacher. What I learned from him still sticks with me today 30 plus years later. Condolences go out to all his family and friends into the community he was so involved with throughout his life. May rest in peace in I pray for strength for his family and peace for them to get through this time of sadness
Mr. Peters was my home room teacher at Flood Brook when I was in 8th grade.
I remember him well and think of him often. He had a sense of humor and related well to our age group. He gave us assignments that made us think. Once he challenged us to figure out how soap breaks surface tension on water. Another time we were given a photo with an observation assignment.
Also we built a nature trail behind the school and were assigned a section to record our observations. David Chase and I dug a hole in a swamp where a frog moved in. So many great memories from one of the few teachers that left such an impact.
RIP Mr. Peters.
My condolences to all of you. I still and will always think of that first science room on the right at GM as “Jon Peters’ room.”
Please accept my sympathy for your loss Lucy. So sorry to hear about Jon. How wonderful you two had 55 years together. Prayers for you and the family.
Thank you, Mr. Peters, for your dedication to your students. We remember and thank you. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.