Edward J. Peterson Edward J. Peterson, of Clinton, NY, the first lay administrator of Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, West Islip, NY, passed away suddenly at his son's home in Brooksville, FL, from complications with emphysema. He was 82.

Originally from Jamaica, NY, Peterson graduated from New York University and received his master's degree in health care administration from Wagner College, Staten Island. At New York Polyclinic Hospital, he was acclaimed the youngest hospital administrator in New York City at the time.

The Board of Trustees of Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center recruited Peterson from Nassau Hospital in Mineola, where he was executive vice president to the head of the hospital. Good Samaritan was founded in 1959 by the Daughters of Wisdom. Peterson succeeded Mother Marie Regina, DW.

During his 15 years at Good Samaritan, 1967-1982, Peterson helped the hospital grow from 187 beds to the major 437-bed, not-for-profit medical center it is today.

"Ed Peterson was a visionary leader," said President and Chief Executive Officer of Good Samaritan. "His talents and expertise were just what we needed at the time."

In addition to providing new patient care facilities at Good Samaritan with the then 120-bed Baxter Pavilion and 100 patient beds in the North Tower, Peterson in 1968 helped open the Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Health Center - the first of its kind - in cooperation with the Suffolk County Department of Health.

In 1976, Peterson helped establish the Good Samaritan Chronic Dialysis Center in Bay Shore, and in 1980, converted the former Sayville Nursing Home into the Good Samaritan Nursing Home.

For his considerable service to the community and the hospital, he was nominated by the Board of Trustees to receive the coveted Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council Theodore Roosevelt Award in 1982.

Following his retirement from Good Samaritan, Peterson accepted the invitation from The Most Rev. John McGann to serve as secretary to the Bishop for Health Affairs for the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

On December 19, 2007, the Board of Trustees of Good Samaritan again honored Peterson with a

plaque and its Samaritan award.

Edward Peterson is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Frances of Clinton, NY; three children: Andrew and wife, Edith, of New Hartford, NY; Catherine Hocoluk and husband, Edward, of Ronkonkoma; and Paul and wife, Patricia, of Coram and six grandchildren: Andrea Conley and husband, Patrick; Sean Peterson; Heath and Erik Hocoluk; and Christopher and Elizabeth Peterson.

Mr. Peterson will repose at the Frederick J. Chapey Funeral Home in West Islip on Thursday, March 26, from 3-7 pm. Celebration of the Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place at St. Joseph's RC Church in Babylon on Friday, March 27 at 9 am, followed by interment at the Calverton National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any contributions in the name of Edward J. Peterson be made to the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, 1000 Montauk Highway, West Islip, NY 11795.