Robert O’Brien ‘Brien’ Peterson, 40, was born February 9, 1976, and passed away on Friday, April 1, 2016. His life was taken far too soon, and his absence is deeply felt.
His smile could light up a room, and his laughter was contagious. His wit and humor were like no other. Brien worked as a barber for nearly two decades at Will’s Barber Shop and J&B Barber Shop. He didn’t just cut hair, he connected and impacted the lives of many children and adolescents in the Cumberland County area through his trade. He had an uncanny ability to relate to those who were hurting. A giant kid at heart, Brien had a true love for children and never lost his child-like view of the world. Brien had his demons and fought them daily, but these never deterred his love for others.
Brien was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn Peterson; his maternal grandparents, Frederick and Sharon McNeill, his paternal grandmother, Wilma J. Overton; and special stepmother that raised and loved him as her own, Addie Peterson.
He is survived by his father, Robert Peterson; sister; Amber Jackson (Christopher); nephews, Alex, Owen and Keegan; stepsisters, Teresa Boggs (Steve), Sherry Ramsdell (Dennis) and Kelly Arrant; stepbrother, Matthew Johnson; aunts, uncles and cousins; and many, many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at Jernigan Warren Chapel in Fayetteville. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. A memorial service will also be held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Living Water Ministries in Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to TROSA, 1920 James St., Durham, N.C. 27707; or Onslow County Crime Stoppers.
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