DAVID PEDDIE

DAVID PEDDIE

February 1, 1930 - February 29, 2024

Television innovator, writer, producer, theatre lover, avid reader of history and philosophy, socialist. David died peacefully at home with family by his side due to heart failure caused by 94 years of a life well lived. David's love of Shakespeare began at age 11 when he played a small role in a church production of Henry 5. He greatly admired the works and politics of George Bernard Shaw and followed his socialist political leaning as a longtime member of the NDP party. He read daily the Globe and Mail and weekly the New Yorker magazine and countless books of interest. He was born and raised in North Toronto to Frank and Lillias Peddie, Scottish immigrants who met at a drama club run by the United Church. His father Frank, a lawyer, realized he was more naturally gifted in acting and soon became a successful theatre, radio, and television actor and founding member of ACTRA. David found his niche in writing and producing for television. He started as a theatre critic for the University of Toronto paper the Varsity. At the U of T drama club he met Deborah (nee Turnbull) a rising star in Toronto's burgeoning acting community. After university David travelled Europe then joined Deborah in London before they returned by freighter to Canada to marry. David began his career at CBC television, first an associate producer, where he proudly answered critic Nathan Cohen's challenge to produce John Coulter's play Louis Riel for television, and later as a producer for the groundbreaking series Wojeck, the prototype for all coroner shows to follow. At CBC's drama department he produced shows that showcased and nurtured countless Canadian writers and directors like Alice Munro, Austin Clark, Allan King and René Bonnière. After losing his wife Deborah to breast cancer in 1992 David spent his remaining years enjoying time at his country home in Mono, the farm, living with daughter Sarah and her family in Toronto, and the last years split between Rachel's home in Toronto and his country home with Sarah. David was predeceased by his wife, Deborah (d. 1992), and he is survived by his two daughters Rachel, (John), Sarah (Jeff), his grandchildren Miranda (Steve), Jake (Jesse) Alexis and step grandchildren Evan (Grace) Dave, and great-grandchildren Vivian, Everett, Gabriella and Hazel. There will be a celebration of life held in late spring at the farm. As per his wishes David's ashes will be scattered in the back stream. Donations in David's memory can be made to the Nature Conservancy, the NDP Party and Women's College Hospital Foundation.