South Plainfield – Matthew Joseph Peterson, 75, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, to the late Hilmer and Beatrice Peterson, Matthew dedicated his life to service, learning, and community. A proud graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and he served honorably with the United States Army from 1972 - 1977. He was in the 82nd Airborne Division as a second Lieutenant and was stationed at Fort Dix where he achieved the rank of Captain.  Matthew settled into South Plainfield where he raised his family.

During his military service, Matthew pursued higher education at Drexel University, earning a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. His career included dedicated work at UMDNJ, which later merged with Rutgers University. He continued his valuable contributions in the Planning and Operations Department, where he started the unofficial Hawaiian Shirt Fridays, until his retirement in June.

In his younger years, Matthew was a Cub Master for Boy Scout Pack 224, a supportive parent of the SPHS Band Booster Club, chaperoning trips to England and Ireland as well as a baseball, softball and soccer coach for the South Plainfield Recreation. His warm spirit and dedication touched the lives of many in his community. He was also a member of the Seton Hall Booster Club, attending home and away basketball games to cheer on and support the Seton Hall Pirates.  His favorite sporting events to attend and watch came from his alma matter, where he loved the annual Army Navy Game and continued to support and cheer on various Army sports teams.

Matthew was a man of many passions. He enjoyed creating stained glass art, weaving Nantucket Lightship baskets, and fabric weaving and participated in the Jockey-Hollow Weavers Guild and the Garden State Weavers Club. An avid member to the Rutgers Fishing Club, he loved saltwater fishing, fly fishing, and surf fishing, often spending weekends immersed in his favorite pastime. He was also a voracious reader, gardener and aspiring writer.

He enjoyed the time spent with his family at their family campsite, hunting and fishing as well as the time spent with his family and friends on the beach at Wildwood Crest, where he shared a residence. He had a love of life and created community no matter the setting. He was loved by and will be missed by his friends, family, and coworkers. 

Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Ellen Peterson; three children, Christine Krieger and husband Charles, Brian Peterson and David Peterson and grandson, Joshua.

He will also be missed by his siblings; Katherine Cutler and husband Edward, and James Peterson and wife Pam; nieces, nephews and Godchildren.

Family and friends may attend the visitation to be held in the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 4pm until 8pm.

A funeral mass will be offered on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:00AM in the Church of the Sacred Heart Church, 149 South Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield. Family and friends may gather in the funeral home prior to mass at 9AM.

Matthew will be buried in the West Point Cemetery, West Point NY at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to either the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org, American Heart Association, www.heart.org, the Army Athletic Association, www.westpoint.org or Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, www.ladystarofthesea.org