HAMPTON -- John G. Peterson, 80, formerly of Hampton and Bare Foot Bay, Fla., died Thursday, Dec. 15, 1988, at Epsom Manor Retirement Center.

Born June 12, 1908, in Brockton, Mass., the son of Sigrid and Nellie (Nordquist) Peterson, he had received his secondary education in Westford, Mass., graduated in 1932 from Springfield College and attended the University of New Hampshire Graduate School while beginning to teach.

He began his teaching and coaching career at Pembroke Academy and was later a teacher and coach at Salem High School.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and was a second lieutenant at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga.

After graduating, he was assigned to Fort McClellen and while there, attended Washington and Lee College in Lexington, Va.

After the war, he became director of physical education in Hampton schools. He also coached football, basketball and started the first track and field program at Hampton Academy [& High School]. He continued his studies and received a master's degree in education at Boston University.

He was the manager of Hampton Beach State Park for 29 years.

He was a past president of the New Hampshire Coaches Association, a past president of the New Hampshire Physical Education Association and served on the NHIAA Council for two years.

He was an honorary life member of the New Hampshire Education Association and an honorary member of the New Hampshire Athletic Association.

He was a life member of the National Retired Teachers and the Westford Academy Alumni Association.

He was a 43-year member of Hampton Post 35, the American Legion.

A 32nd degree Freemason, having started in the Demolay in Ayer, Mass., he was first a member of Jewel Lodge, Suncook, was later affiliated with Star in the East Lodge, Exeter, and in 1903, became affiliated with St. James Lodge, Hampton, and served as treasurer of its building association for nine years. He was a member of the Scottish Rite bodies, Valley of Portsmouth and Dover, and the New Hampshire Consistory of Nashua, where he was active in degree work.

He was a member of the Bektash Temple Shrine, Concord, and active as a member of patrol C., Portsmouth, serving as vice-president and president 1972 and 1973.

He was a former member of the Portsmouth Shrine Club and a member of the Greater Melbourne, Fla., Shrine Club.

He was a 40-year member of the First Congregational Church of Hampton.

The widower of Mildred (Harvey) Peterson, who died in 1981, he is survived by a daughter, Linda K. Theriault of Barnstead; two grandchildren; two sisters, Doris Thunberg of Tyngsboro, Mass., and Jean Chambliss of San Lorenzo, Calif.; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Steven Bowden, pastor of First Congregational Church, officiating. Burial will be in High Street Cemetery, Hampton. Calling hours are from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Ronald A. Remick Funeral Home, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. The American Legion service is slated for 6:30 p.m. and the Masonic service is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, in care of recorder, Bektash Temple.