LITTLE FALLS-George M Peters, of North Ann Street, Little Falls, passed away quietly on February 6, 2011, just four days after his 91st birthday. George was a born in Utica and moved to Little Falls during his youth, leaving only to serve his country during WW II. In, January 1942, he joined the US Army and was a combat engineer assigned to the 9400th TSU Sig CMP Detachment and participated in the invasion of North Africa on November 8, 1942. The troop ship that was carrying George was torpedoed by a German U-Boat somewhere in the North Atlantic. George never learned how to swim so he was always prepared by wearing two life vests: a Navy life vest and a Army ring buoy, and as he clung to a piece of debris he was finally picked up by another ship. He came ashore in Casablanca and began an active march across North Africa, where he was in the Battle of the Kasserine Pass. He told the story of how he had been traveling in one of the first troop vehicles when he and a friend decided on the spur of the moment, to get in another vehicle located at the end of the column. The original vehicle was almost immediately destroyed in the Pass and the first battle involving American and German Troops began. In January 1941, he was in Italy and in the midst of the battle of Monte Cassino. George smiled as he told his nephews and nieces how his unit was taken out of that conflict only to return to the sea and engage in another beach landing, at the Battle of Anzio. His next recollection was of being on yet another troop transport ship off the coast of Normandy, where for the second time, he was torpedoed. This time he would be saved by the troopship Leonard Wood, Gen Eisenhower's flagship. He came ashore on D-Day at Normandy and recalled several times of his involvement in the battle at St Lo, France in July 1944. Of all his battle's, this one made the most grievous impression on George, for which he would only shake his head when recalling that event. In October, 1945, he received an Honorable Discharge as a PFC in the Military Police. Having been in the Algeria and the French Morocco campaign, George was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Middle Eastern Service Medal and two Bronze Stars, even though he was involved in many more. George was a member of St Mary's Church (Holy Family Parish) for many decades and was one of the collection handlers. He was a member of the 4th Degree color guard, Knights of Columbus and served as their Grand Knight. He also belonged to the American Legion, the VFW. For many years he volunteered his time at Bingo where his friendly face would greet everyone. George worked for the Cherry Burrell Corporation for many years, at Polar Bear Foods with his family in the frozen food business, and ended his working career for the city of Little Falls. George is predeceased by his father, Jorge (George) Peters, and mother, Meriam (Mary) Peters, brothers Edward and wife Gladys and John and wife Mary, and sisters Anna Peters Mardany and husband Louis, Josephine Peters Tastle and husband William C., and Fay Peters Paige, and nephews Edward Mardany and Ron Peters, and niece Sandra Tastle. He is survived by his nephews; Gabe Mardany and wife Hilda, of Utica, Dr. William J. Tastle and wife Geri, of Binghamton, Dixon Peters and Lois Miller of Utica, Robert Tastle and wife Nancy, of Dallas, TX and Greg Peters and wife Sharon of Cortland; great nephews and nieces; Louis and Edward Mardany, Gabrielle Mardany Hope and Michael, Michelle Tastle Cool, Stephen Tastle, Jennifer Tastle, Michael Tastle and Natalie and Marianne Tastle, Joshua Peters, Joseph Peters, and Jonathan Peters; several great- great nieces and nephews. George lived on the corner of North Ann St. and West Monroe St. and spent many hours walking in front of his house smoking his cigar and waiving to everyone who drove by. He was a good friend and a good neighbor to all. As the youngest of six children Uncle George was to be the Family Patriarch for the past four years and he will be sincerely missed. Friends are invited to visit with the family and pay their respects at Enea Funeral Home, 24 W Monroe St., Little Falls, on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, from 4:00-7:00pm. Funeral will commence on Thursday, Feb. 10th, at 10:15am from the funeral home where prayer will be offered by Sister Marilyn Hayes, CSJ. The funeral procession will proceed to the Holy Family Parish to celebrate a Mass of Christian burial at 11 am. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, town of Herkimer. Memorial offerings may be made to The Pines at Utica Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, who took wonderful and compassionate care of George and his family. Arrangements are under the supervision of funeral director, Daniel J. Enea.