Alexander Augustus Petersen Jr., also known as “Boss Pete,” “Joonyah” or “Alex,” was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 4, 1954, to Sylvia Sakers and Alexander Petersen. Alex lived in Puerto Rico with his family until 1959 when they relocated back to St. Croix.
He was preceded in death by his father: Alexander Augustus Petersen Sr.; sisters: Afelle and Alexis Petersen; grandchildren: Jordan Claxton and Te’a Liger; grandmothers: Doris Brady and Alvira Lowe Petersen; grandfather, Reuben Petersen Sr.; uncle, Reuben Petersen Jr.; and aunts: Thelma Springer, Marion Maranda, Corlina Collins, Muriel Stevens and Gwendolyn Boyea.
He is survived by his mother, Sylvia Gibbs; son, Aleakeem Petersen; daughters: Alekisha Joy Petersen Bennerson and Alexia (Petersen) Williams; sons-in-law: Gregory F. Bennerson and Darnell Williams Jr.; adopted children: Kenny Smith, Linda, Tanniella, Jose and Kharisma Martinez, Donald and Lincoln Smith, Dwayne Richards, Lowell Trent and Jeffrey and Watkin Penn; and grandchildren: Kamar and Collin Liger, Troy Strickland, Gregory Alexander and Aya Bennerson.
He is also survived by sisters: Coreen Petersen Stout, Ifesinachi Naana “Senechi,” Anita Gibbs, Letha Petersen Matias, Michelle Gibbs, Rondelle Petersen, “Karla Petersen” Kari’yah Shalom, Eva Gibbs and Riise Thurland; brothers: Paul Petersen, Wayne “Bully” Petersen, Robert Petersen, Carlos Petersen, Albert Gibbs and Jamal Asaad; and nieces: Agatha Alon Petersen, April Charles, Kearya Jasper, Shyla Marshall-Almestica, Ronytia Rey, Chimene, Cheyenne and Chandler Jackson, Shanicia, Shamona and Paula Petersen, Azaria Vanzego, Melanie Pittman, Rachel Christopher, Jamiylah, Nafiysah Asaad, Tasha Ross and Brianda.
Other survivors include nephews: Dr. Jamlik Johnson-Omari and Rasheed Johnson; Rolen “Armani” and Renol Prince, Charles “CJ” Goodings, Shadrach Petersen, Maurice Brown, Deshane Riviere, Kashif, Muhammad, Mujahid Asaad and Dale King Jr.; special friends: Alda Anduze, Dorothy Hendricks, Calvin Schmidt, Noel Euzebe, Rafael Berrios “Radio,” Diane, Paul “Paulie” Payne; as well as many cousins, relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
The funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, April 20, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at Frederiksted Cemetery.
All attendees are asked to wear white in his honor.
