Ronald William Petersen, 65, of Liberty Township, New Jersey, died in the peace of his home on February 17th, 2024.
Never one to waste any time, he was born in the family car outside their doctors’ office in Belvidere, NJ on February 6th , 1959 to parents William Russell Petersen and Lillian (Dietel) Petersen. His childhood consisted of days and nights spent exploring the woods around his family home, and his love for the outdoors stayed with him through his entire life. Ron graduated from Hackettstown High School in 1977, and from Raritan Valley Community College two years later. His love of working outside prompted him to found his highly regarded excavating business, Petersen Excavating, Paving and Hauling, in 1978. Though always practical, he frequently told his family how he felt bad charging for jobs because he truly loved what he did for a living. Customers and friends alike would comment how his excavator was like an extension of his own arm, and his attention to detail couldn’t be matched.
His two greatest accomplishments in his life were the raising of his three children, and the building of his timber frame home in Liberty Township. Ron was an avid hunter, conservationist, naturalist, hiker, motorcyclist and collector of history and artifacts. He was a member of numerous organizations including The Colonial Chapter Antique Motorcycle Association, The Brockway Truck Preservation Association, The Meadows Boys Rod and Gun Club, West Jersey Huskie Haulers, Grouse Ridge Gun Club, Shongum Sportsman Association, and The Warren County Soil Conservation. In addition to his many hobbies, he also believed in working within your community, and served on the Liberty Township Committee for 18 years. His love of travel took him across the globe- not only on trips to visit the countries of his heritage, but on multiple hunting trips and cross-country motorcycle trips both here in the U.S. and abroad. He had a vast wealth of knowledge that will undeniably be missed, and the impact of all those he has helped in his lifetime will go on for generations.
Ron is survived by his wife of 37 years, Silvana Kellie Petersen, his three children- Son Chris Breslin and his wife Jennifer (Budd) Breslin, Son Garrett Petersen and his wife Chelsea (Nordstrom) Petersen and daughter Haileigh Petersen and her fiancé Kevin Danilowski- as well as his granddaughter Kayla Breslin, his father William Russell Petersen, brother Robert Petersen and his wife Jacquie and brother Raymond Petersen and his wife Darlene. He was predeceased in 2017 by his mother Lillian (Dietel) Petersen. Ron will be missed by his nieces, nephews and his many good, lifelong friends.
Memorial visitation will be held at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High St Hackettstown, NJ, on February 26th from 4:00PM to 8:00PM
In lieu of flowers or donations, we hope that you do as Ron would have done and be there for each other. He was the first to aid friends, family and neighbors when needed, and we ask that you remember him by doing the same. If you have the ability to help someone, no matter how big or small, do so in Rons memory.
27 Condolences for Petersen, Ronald William
Condolences(27)
Yvonne Mooney says
February 20, 2024 at 9:00 pmKelly, our deepest sympathy to you and the family. So very sorry to hear this. May God be with you.
Larry Costantino says
February 20, 2024 at 9:03 pmRon will surely be missed. His presence in this world was an inspiration to everyone whom he met, including myself. He will always have a place in my heart and memories forever.
tom schneider says
March 1, 2024 at 6:36 pmwhen I built my house in “78 Ron was just starting out, but boy, did he know what he was doing. We actually enjoyed the work. My condolences to his family. When the body dies the soul lives on.GOD bless the soul of Ron Petersen
Alison Lobisch says
February 20, 2024 at 9:15 pmKelly and Family,
We are so very sorry to have heard of your loss.
Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Alison & Bill Lobisch
Rob Petersen says
February 20, 2024 at 9:34 pmGodspeed Ron, catch you down the road brother.
Fred Postma says
February 20, 2024 at 11:28 pmA craftsman like no other. The very best of humanity was Ron.
Kathy & Dan Bassininski says
February 21, 2024 at 12:30 amWe are so sorry to hear about Ron’s passing. We know he will be missed tremendously.
Chris Dietel says
February 21, 2024 at 12:49 amPeace to the family. He will always be in your hearts.
Joe Zoppy says
February 21, 2024 at 1:30 amRest in Peace Ron.
Kelly, my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Liz Iacampo says
February 21, 2024 at 1:22 amWill always think of him as a good man. My sympathies go to his family, who will surely miss him. Gone too soon. Godspeed to him.
Sandy Cortrigh Frankenfield says
February 21, 2024 at 1:51 pmRest in peace, Ron. Why do the great guys good first. Maybe there is a Demark in heaven.
Mary & Rick Kreger says
February 21, 2024 at 4:02 pmSending our deepest condolences to you and your family. God bless Ron, and may he rest in peace.
greg galster says
February 22, 2024 at 1:31 amim not saying good buy i,m saying see you later ron .and we will ride again soon keep the fire going
Bobbie Dusenberry says
February 22, 2024 at 1:43 amKelly….some people never find true love. We did! Some people never find their soulmate. We did! All my love to your and your family.
HelenMarie Keiser says
February 22, 2024 at 4:26 amKellie.and family, Dad, Rob and Ray and families:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Ron was a wonderful man who loved his family and touched the heart of everyone He will be missed.
Love, Helen Marie & Joe Keiser
Carmen & Linda Feula says
February 23, 2024 at 12:38 amit is hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember. Our hearts and sympathy go out to the entire Petersen family
Al & Gwen Miller says
February 23, 2024 at 6:38 pmRon was one of a kind. A true husband, father, son, grandfather, and friend. A craftsman extraordinaire at every thing he touched. So many great Ron stories and shared experiences. We will miss him always. Until we meet again Ron, RIP.
Annie & Carol says
February 23, 2024 at 8:44 pmSuch a good human.This world needs more people like Ronnie. We feel so bad for his family.
God Bless His Soul. Rest in peace ✝️
Eric Rolfsen says
February 25, 2024 at 12:23 amReally shocked and saddened to hear this. I think of Ron as my oldest friend. We met in Kindergarten. Always a first rate guy. My condolences to all of the Petersens.
Eric Rolfsen says
February 25, 2024 at 12:28 amI think of Ron as my oldest friend since we met in Kindergarten. My condolences to all of the Petersens. Ron was always a first rate guy and i know many will miss him.
Marvin J. Hopkins says
February 25, 2024 at 6:38 pmSorry to hear about ron.
Mitch and Beverly Dinger says
February 26, 2024 at 12:33 amTo Kelly and the Petersen family we were deeply saddened to hear about Ron’s passing he was a great friend and we will miss is bright soul .
Keith & Sue Klinger says
February 26, 2024 at 6:15 pmKelly, Our hearts go you to you and your family. We are so sadden, shocked. He will be deeply missed as he was such a light, generally a wonderful person, full of knowledge and life! Always there to land a hand. Until we all meet again. Goodspeed.
Fred and Lynda Stadtler says
February 26, 2024 at 9:48 pmOur deepest sympathy on the passing of Ron. Hold your memories close as you navigate through this trying time. May He Rest in Peace
God Bless
Doug Williams and Joan says
February 27, 2024 at 12:24 amKelly and family so sorry to hear about Ron,s passing.
Joanne Iskra King says
February 28, 2024 at 5:01 pmWith my deepest sympathy to you all….May he rest in peace
Linda Peterson says
December 9, 2025 at 6:51 pmTo Ron’s Family and Friends. I am just hearing about this now and am stricken. I am updating my contractor list and googled Petersen Excavating – and the obituary came up! I worked with Ron (and his trusty dog) and a bunch of other dedicated environmentalists on a stream restoration project at Dvoor Farm in Flemington. I always wanted to work with him again. Such a great guy – and very talented. My heart goes out to you all… I will do my part to be kind to those around me. What a lovely sentiment.
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