Eugene L. Pederson

PORTSMOUTH, RI - Eugene L. Pederson, 91, of 6060 Shore Boulevard South, Gulfport, FL, and 119 Belmont Drive, Portsmouth, formerly of Robin Road, Portsmouth, died Saturday, December 17, 2005, at his home in Portsmouth.He was the husband of Isabel Fouts Pederson and the late Winifred Pederson.Born in New York, NY, on December 9, 1914, he was the son of the late Charles and Beatrice Sunderland Pederson.Eugene was a 1931 graduate of Rogers High School and worked as a machinist during WWII at the former Newport Naval Torpedo Station on Goat Island in Newport. An engineering degree prepared him for his first career as a civil service employee. Upon retirement, he began his next career at McLaughlin Research Corporation where he retired as the Chairman of the Board. There were two passions throughout his life, music and golf. He began playng the saxophone in 1929, under the alias ?Saxophone Pete?. He also had a band, ?The Gene Pederson Orchestra,? until 1975. Mr. Pederson was also a life member of Wanumetonomy Golf and Country Club. He began as a caddy at Wanumetonomy in 1926 and continued his passion for competitive golf, winning many tournaments in the area. He also played in Senior Tour Pro-Am Events in the 1980?s, where he played at the Newport Country Club with golf legends such as Sam Snead, Art Wall, Julius Buros, and Larry Mowry. Mr. Pederson was also a member of the St. John Lodge of Masons.Besides his wife he is survived by a niece Nina Victor of Dayton, OH, two nephews Grant L. Victor of Dayton, OH, and David Halversen of Cape Cod, MA, four great nephews Grant A. Victor Jr. and Seth R. Victor both of Dayton, OH, Mark Halversen and Matthew Halversen both of Cape Cod, MA, and two great nieces Martha Halversen of Ft. Meyers, FL, and Meg Halversen of Cape Cod, MA.His funeral will be held on Thursday, December 22, 2005, at 11:00 AM in Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth.Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2005, from 3-6PM in the funeral home.Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Visiting Nurse Services Of Newport Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI, 02871.