The Gloucester Education Foundation is fortunate to have many loyal supporters, vocal champions, and active volunteers. We take pride in getting to know each of them and bringing them together as advocates for our public schools.

But sometimes, a bittersweet gift comes from someone we never had the pleasure to meet.

This was the case when we recently received a call from the family of the late Peder Wonson, GHS Class of 1997, with the news that they wanted to donate $15,000 from his estate to the Gloucester Education Foundation. This gift honors Peder’s deep roots in Gloucester and will create opportunities for the next generation of Gloucester Public School students.

Raised in East Gloucester, Peder met his core group of friends at East Gloucester Elementary School. They played sports together, bonded from a young age and stayed close through middle and high school, then into adulthood. Those lifelong friendships kept Peder grounded and connected to Gloucester.

As an adult Peder coached and helped with local sports teams, assisted with Gloucester Little League, and refereed flag football. He was a darts and cribbage champ at Pratty’s, an avid golfer, and loved to go camping – often with his old friends from EGS. We bet he would have made a wonderful volunteer at GEF’s Power of Play festival.

His family remembers his approach simply: if you can help out, show up. And Peder always did. So his family and lifelong friends see supporting GEF as a fitting way to celebrate his life. They know how much it matters for kids to feel connected to their schools, their peers, and their hometown. They also shared that Peder had learning difficulties as a child, yet as an adult became an enthusiastic learner and overcame these challenges. Through this gift, they will help Gloucester students overcome their own challenges, discover new interests, apply new skills, and find a place in their community.

We wish we had gotten to know Peder. We’re so thankful for his big heart, and his family’s trust in GEF to carry his legacy forward.

Celebrate someone who loved Gloucester. A gift to GEF in honor or in memory of a loved one is a meaningful way to support the young people growing up here today. You can also consider a legacy gift through your estate plans, extending your own connection to Gloucester for generations to come. To make a gift or talk about the possibilities, visit www.thinkthebest.org/waystogive or contact Laura Irwin, Development Manager, at laura@thinkthebest.org.