David Peduto

1954 - 2016

LT COL Ret. David B. Peduto, 62, a resident of Sewickley, passed away suddenly Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. David was born Aug. 26, 1954, in Carnegie, to Guy and Eva Peduto. At age five, he moved to Scott Township. As a child, David attended St. Simon and Jude Catholic School. As a young man, he attended St Fidelis Seminary High School and graduated in 1972 from Canevin High School. David went on to graduate from Duquesne University where he found the first love of his life, the US Army. As years passed, he obtained his Masters Degrees from Webster University and Hahnemann University. David began his Army career in medical logistics. As a Major, he commanded a detachment in both Panama (Just Cause) and the Persian Gulf (Desert Storm) where he had operational control of 400 soldiers. His expertise in material solutions lead to direct liaison relationships with other government agencies, and international non-profits. He supported humanitarian and military operations on all continents. After 15 years in logistics, he was trained in psychology and was assigned to the Army Special Operations Command. David had a focus in leadership development which continued through the last 10 years of his Army career. David retired from the Army in 2003 and after retirement continued his work in leadership development as he developed psychometrically sound 360 surveys for multiple agencies. David also attended the Army Acquisition Management Program and had an additional Masters Degree in system management. David was passionate about many things but leadership was his life's work, and he dedicated his life to studying, modeling and teaching inspirational leadership. David met the second love of his life, Michelle, and he married her in 1985. Together they had four wonderful children, Betsy, Emily, Sam and Joe.David adored his family and they adored him. Everything in his life was dedicated to them. His bold personality, sense of humor and pure love made him the center of their lives. He was so proud of them and he was their fiercest advocate. His spirit and love live on through each of them. He taught us all how to fish, play poker and cook though we could not do any of it as well as he did. He loved the wonderful friends of his children and welcomed them whole-heartedly into our home. His presence filled the room, his laughter could light up the saddest day and his smile filled our hearts. David was also the center of his extended family. His mother, Eva, and brothers, Guy and Bill, knew that he would do anything for them and that he loved them dearly. David loved his wife's family as his own and his kindness to them knew no bounds. His was always guided by his unwavering faith in God and his belief in life as the journey to an eternal life. In his spare time, he enjoyed philosophical conversations with his friend, Bruce, as well as sharing ideas and making big plans with his buddy, Craig. We are heartbroken by his death but confident that he will continue to be our advocate and his love for us will never die. David was preceded in death by his father, Guy Sr., and his younger brother, Tom. David is survived by his loving wife, Michelle; his loving daughters, Elizabeth, of Ligonier, and Emily, of Pittsburgh; his loving sons, Samuel, of Sewickley, and Joseph, of Sewickley. He is also survived by his mother, Eva; his brothers, Guy (Donna) of Fairmont, W. Va., and William, of Pittsburgh. His Maine extended family includes his brother-in-law, Michael (Peg) Phelan; nephews, Sam and Zach; and his niece, Maggie.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to COPELAND'S SEWICKLEY, 702 Beaver St., where visitation took place from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. A funeral Mass took place at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, in St. James Church, 200 Walnut St., Sewickley, with Father Thomas J. Burke, celebrant. The burial followed at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Capuchins Friars, 220 37th St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201, www.capuchin.com.