Jack Peightal
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, October 4, 1977
Born: May 26, 1926
Died: May 24, 1989
Married: Kathryn Ober
Children: Kathy Peightal, Ann Dupree and Mary Sue Dalton
John Peightal was a World War II veteran, a math teacher at Saranac Lake High School for 32 years.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, May 26, 1989
John Peightal
SARANAC LAKE — John (Jack) Peightal, 62, of Harrietstown Rd., died Wednesday evening at his home following a long illness.
He was born in Philipsburg, Pa., May 26, 1926, the son of Mary and Walter Peightal of Saranac Lake, who survive.
Also surviving are his wife, the former Kathryn Ober; three daughters, Kathy Peightal of Monterey, Calif.; Mrs. Ann Dupree and Mary Sue Peightal, both of Saranac Lake, four grandchildren and his mother-in-law, Flo Ober.
Jack had been a resident of Saranac Lake since 1939 and graduated from the local high school in 1944. He was married on Sept. 3, 1948. He was a veteran of World War II, having served as an infantryman in the army. Following his army stint, he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was issued a medical discharge after receiving a shoulder injury.
After his military service, he attended Albany State College for Teachers, graduating in 1952 with a BA Degree in Math and History.
Later, he added an MA Degree in History from Albany State, a Master of Mathematics Degree from the University of Buffalo, and an MA Degree in Education, from St. Lawrence University.
Mr. "P" was a high school math teacher for 32 years in the local school district, retiring in 1984. He was Chairman of the Math Department for many years. He was also very active in the New York State Teachers Association, serving as Northern Zone Vice President and Secretary Treasurer at different times. Statewide, he served as State Chairman of Publicity for the New York State Teachers Association.
During his years in the school system, he served as Assistant Varsity Football Coach in the 1950s, head Junior Varsity Football Coach in the 1960s, ski coach in the 1970s and was active in various clubs and committees. His former students will remember him for his Dixieland Banjo playing and for his extensive knowledge of the Civil War.
He was a 13-year member of the Lake Placid Barbershoppers.
There will be no calling hours. A funeral service will be held at the Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 27. Friends are invited to join the family in the church hall after the service.
Memorial donations may be made to the Saranac Lake Rescue Squad, the First United Methodist Church or the Pine Ridge Cemetery Association in care of the Fortune Funeral Home, which is in charge of funeral arrangements.
In a front-page article in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, September 1, 2022, titled "Like mother, like daughter: Retiring SLCSD teacher hands classroom off to her daughter," Aaron Cerbone writes that Mary Sue Peightal Dalton's daughter, Rachel is actually the third generation in the family to teach in Saranac Lake schools. "Mary Sue's father was a geometry teacher at the Saranac Lake High School for 30-plus years. and she was his student one year. Fortunately, Mary Sue said, he was one of the popular teachers and a caring father, but she always cringed with embarrassment when he brought out his banjo to play for the class."
Comments
2012-05-26 16:04:23 My grandfather was a special man who blessed all those who surrounded him. He was taken from us far too soon. -Jason "Jeeps" Peightal —69.181.122.192
