Albert (Al) M. Peterson

1936-2021

Albert (Al) M. Peterson, 84, of Port Orange passed away on July 29th, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky on December 16,1936. Al was fascinated with airplanes at the early age of three. He pursued his dream and at 16 years old he obtained his private pilot's license. He graduated from the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet School in 1957 and flew fighter jets at age 20. In 1966, Al became a commercial pilot for United Airlines and retired from UAL in 1996. After retirement as a commercial pilot, he joined Brown & Brown Insurance as a co-originator and pilot for their aviation department. In his free time Al enjoyed flying and towing gliders, being a member at the Basilica of St. Paul since 1995, serving as a minister of Holy Communion, being a facilitator for marriage preparation, volunteering at Bridge of Hope feeding center. Additionally, Al served as a volunteer police officer for the city of Port Orange.
His survivors include his loving wife JoAnn, son Albert, daughter Joan Lutz (Tom), son Scott (Andrea) and daughter Robin Hafertepe (Ray) and grandchildren Kellie & Jay Lutz, Kira, Emma & Hannah Peterson and Ally & Jake Hafertepe.
A Mass of Celebration of Al's life will be at 12:30pm on Saturday, August 7th, a viewing prior to the Mass will be held in the Basilica of St. Paul, 317 Mullaly Street, Daytona Beach from 10am-12pm.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Al may make contributions in his memory to either The Basilica School of St. Paul Scholarship Fund or Autism Speaks at www.autismspeaks.org