WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — David Peth, a longtime resident of Williamstown, passed away at his home on Friday, November 11, 2016.



Born in Bayonne, N.J., he was the son of David H. Peth and Sarah Peth. He lived in New Jersey, later moving to Daufuskie Island, S.C., where he attended a one-room schoolhouse. While there was segregation in the school system all the children played together after school and he often spoke of his happy childhood spent on the island. He was a graduate of Savannah High School in Georgia.

 

During WWII, he enlisted in the US Navy serving on the tanker, USS Mattaponi refueling combat ships and aircraft carriers in the Atlantic and the Pacific. Dave was honorably discharged as Radioman First Class in 1946.

 

Furthering his education he attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Ga., on the GI bill and graduated in 1950 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for the Coca-Cola Company in Quality Control with the travelling lab, covering 42 states and later transferred to the Regional office of Coca-Cola in Concord, NH where he traveled throughout New England. David worked for the Raytheon Company and later joined Sprague Electric Co. in Concord, N.H., Sanford, Maine, North Adams and Mansfield, Mass., retiring in 1987.

 

While in Concord he was an active member of the First Congregational Church, teaching Sunday school and serving as a deacon. He was a member of Blazing Star Eureka Lodge #11 Free and Accepted Masons, Concord, N.H., for more than 50 years, the American Legion, Whitefield, N.H., Sprague Electric’s Quarter Century Club, New Hampshire Historical Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and Williams College Faculty Club.

 

Dave enjoyed time in his garden and yard and all of nature. He faithfully raised the American flag each morning. In retirement his travels took him to Europe, Canada and throughout America. He was active in the arts, enjoyed bridge and dancing and loved to whistle. He was a gentle man who engaged people from all walks of life and brought a smile with his sense of humor. He will be missed.

 

Besides his wife of 60 years, Jane, his sons, David W. Peth of Williamstown and Thomas H. Peth of Chicago, Ill., his sister-in-law Lida, and nieces and nephews survive him. He was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters and one brother from his extended family.

Funeral notice: A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, 671 Cold Spring Rd., Williamstown, MA 01267 or Hospice Care in the Berkshires, Inc. 877 South Street, Suite 1W, Pittsfield, MA.