Lester Abdel Peterson

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Mr. Lester Abdel Peterson was a Staten Island-raised man born on June 23rd, 1950. He loved jazz music, as well as playing his drums whenever possible. As a former Black Panther, he was very passionate about black history, culture, and activism. Along with his partner, Alonzo Duff, they founded the first Black Business Expo.  In1983 he was elected to the New Brighton Local Community Development Committee. He was a staple at many community events, including Kwanzaa events where he would play the drums. He engaged in Karate at a young age, eventually mastering it as a black belt. His pastimes included playing bid whist and chess, as well as watching food shows and Shark Tank. He was a wordsmith, passionate about his writing which included being a poet and playwright. He loved to take care of his family.

He was a Political Science and Accounting major at the College of Staten Island and Pace University. He worked as a NY State Tax Auditor for many years until opening his own Tax Accounting Firm by the name of “Community Financial Service”, operating for over 30 years.

Abdel was preceded in death by his father, Lester Peterson Sr., his mother, Gladys Peterson, and his sisters, Kim Peterson Floyd and Lisa Peterson. He is survived by his wife of 39 years Veronica Peterson, his children Imani Page, Khalil Bagley, and Nia Peterson, his siblings Jeanette Peterson-Rose, Donna Peterson-Francois, and Darryl Peterson, and his grandchildren Makai Page, Makala Page, and Mila Page, his niece Quanice Floyd, as well as his brothers-in-law Alexander Francois, Donald Rose, Norman Garrick, and Nathaniel Floyd, his son-in-law Lamar Page.

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