Alan Peters

“Like a flyin' bird in the night The wind is strong but I hope I'm right And this will be the end of this endless flight” - Leo Sayer, “Endless Flight” Alan R. Peters, 76, of Enfield, Connecticut, passed away on February 5, 2019. A celebration of life reception will be held on Saturday, February 16, 1-5PM at Joey C’s Boathouse, 955 Ferry Boulevard, Stratford, CT 06614. Friends are invited to bring their favorite stories, memories and photos. Al was born November 12, 1942 in Bridgeport, CT to the late Richard T. and Marion (Braatz) Peters. He graduated from Stratford High School in 1960. The way he died is just like he lived: he wrote his own rules, he paved his own way, and made few apologies. He was as brilliant as he was stubborn. Throughout the years Al pieced together a unique and creative professional life. A design engineer by trade, Al could envision and then draw a design for just about any kind of machine…and make it work. He specialized in custom designed one-of-a-kind product assembly and handling equipment as well as new product development for companies such as Pitney Bowes, Sikorsky, US Surgical and Fletcher-Terry, among others. His successful designs include surgical staples, mail sorting machines and picture framing equipment. Al held 30 US Patents. Many, if not most, of his friends knew Al primarily as a world champion drag racer. Driving his ’69 Camaro, “Endless Flight,” Al traveled the country competing in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Stock Eliminator class. He won countless races throughout his lifetime and received many honors and accolades for his sportsmanship. NHRA national event wins include the 1978 Springnationals, Summernationals and Grandnationals; 1981 Sportsnationals, 1984 Springnationals, and 1987 Gatornationals. He was also the winner of several divisional and class championships. In 1984, Al was the NHRA Stock Eliminator World Champion. He was named TRW All-Star Sportsman winner in 1985, 1986 and 1987 and Car Craft Magazine Driver of the Year in 1984. Al also set many national records. When not designing complicated machines and winning at the dragstrip, Al enjoyed fishing and boating and could identify just about any native or tropical bird. Indoors, you could be sure to find him sipping a Black Russian and smoking a Winston while watching Law & Order or working on a crossword puzzle. He was also a life-long fan of the New York Giants. Al is survived by his loving wife, Rosemary; three children: Alan W. Peters and his wife Kimberly of Milford, CT; Maureen Gittelman and her husband Craig of Highland, NY; Colleen Peters of West Warwick, RI; two grandchildren, Alan and Madison Peters; and by his brother, Richard Peters and his wife Matilda. He was predeceased by his stepdaughter, Annie Dunn.