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
early at age 11 with a small role he played in a local production
of Henry 5. He greatly admired the works and politics of George
Bernard Shaw and followed his socialist political leaning as a
long time member of the NDP party. Until his final day 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 both immigrants from
Scotland who met at the drama club run by the Scottish United
Church in Toronto. His father Frank was educated and
employed as a lawyer but soon realized he was more naturally
gifted in acting and became a successful theatre, radio, and
television actor and founding member of ACTRA. David’s
brother Jim followed Frank into the acting world but David found
his niche in writing and producing for television. He began as a
Theatre critic for the University of Toronto paper the Varsity. It
was at the U of T drama club that he met Deborah (nee
Turnbull) who was a rising star in Toronto’s burgeoning acting
community. After university David spent time in Europe then
briefly joined Deborah in London before they returned by
freighter to Canada to marry. After a short stint as a bookseller
David began his career at CBC television, first as 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. He
created the series To See Ourselves and at CBC’c drama
department 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 much of his remaining 30 years
enjoying time at his country home – the farm - in Mono
township, living independently with daughter Sarah’s and her
family, and the last years split between Rachel’s home in
Toronto and his place in the country with Sarah. David was
predeceased by his wife Deborah (d. 1992), his brother Jim (d.
2004) 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.