David H. Panetta

David (Dave) H. Panetta, 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Warminster, PA on January 8,2025. Dave was born December 29, 1941 to Harvey and Dorothy Panetta in Wilmington DE. After graduating from Hatboro-Horsham High School in 1959, he studied physics at the University of Pennsylvania and then engineering management at Drexel University. After graduating from Penn, he spent his 38 year career working for the US Navy at the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster.
In 1959, Dave met Caroline Hannah at Hatboro-Horsham HS and were married on August 1, 1964. They went on to have two sons, James and Stephen. When the base was relocated to southern Maryland in 1995, Dave retired and spent his time volunteering at his and Carrie's church. He also enjoyed fishing and taking his beloved dogs for walks through the neighborhood. In 2005, Dave was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and was initially told he had less than a year to live. True to his nature, Dave fought the disease and beat cancer.
Dave is survived by his wife Caroline, son James, son Stephen, Stephen's wife Mary Jane, and grandchild Em. Dave is also survived by his sisters Elizabeth and Judith.
Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Warminster on Saturday January 18, 2025. Visitation will be held from 10-11AM with a celebration of life immediately following. In Lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to either The First Presbyterian Church of Warminster or The Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue.
Family services are entrusted to Decker-Givnish of Warminster, 215-675-2070. To share your own memories of Dave with the family, please visit us at www.lifecelebration.com