Martin C. Petersen, 61, of Vernon, CT and formerly of Mt. Iron, MN died unexpectedly on Wednesday (October 5, 2011) the results of a work related accident. He was born on October 27, 1949 in Virginia, Minnesota to Carl and Agnes (Wickstrom) Petersen. He attended grammar school in the Parkville section of Mt. Iron and graduated from Mt. Iron High School, Class of 1968. After graduation, he moved to Minneapolis, MN and then joined the Submarine Division of the United States Navy. He attended cooking school while at boot camp in San Diego, CA. He was then transferred to the US Naval Sub Base in Groton, CT and was assigned to the SSN-64, Trepang. Martin was a member of the original commissioning crew and a plank owner of the Trepang. While a member of the crew, they were one of the first boats to break the ice of the Artic Circle. Upon his honorable discharge, he met and married his wife of thirty-eight years, Linda (Richter) Petersen. They moved back to Minnesota to join with his brothers in the family well drilling business. Several years later they moved back to Connecticut where they have made their home. Martin worked all his life as a well driller, learning the trade from his father at the age of fifteen. He worked for a short time at Eastern Drill Co. but the majority of his career was with Stavens Brothers, Inc. Martin was an avid gardener and loved the out-of-doors. He was a life member of the Sub Veterans Organization and a member of the Trepang Veterans Association. He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. One of his favorite things to do was make big family dinners and bake cookies with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Linda (Richter) Petersen and their children, his daughter Gail and her husband Kevin Dalton of Colchester, CT and their children Erin and John, Matthew and his wife Courtney of Boston, MA and Brian of Vernon, CT. He is also survived by his two brothers Dennis, and his wife Roxanne (Loken-Matschiner) Petersen of Mt. Iron, MN and Norville and his wife Wanda (LaTendresse) Petersen of Virginia, MN and his sister Shirley (Petersen) Chipman of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Monday (October 10th) from 4-8 pm at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center St. Manchester, CT. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday at 10 am at St. Bridget's Roman Catholic Church, 80 Main St. Manchester, CT. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN on Wednesday (October 12th) at 12:00 pm. Donations may be sent to : USS Trepang Veterans Association c/o Gary Theriault (Secretary), 7306 Peterson Lane, Pensacola, FL 32506 or USSVI Groton Base, 40 School Street, Groton, CT 06340 attn: Groton Base Scholarship Fund. Thomson-Dougherty Funeral Home has care of Minneapolis arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfunerahome.com.