James D. Persuit

Jimmy passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in his home. He was born May 23, 1956, and raised in Sewickley. He attended St. James Grade School and graduated High School from Quaker Valley in 1974. At Quaker Valley, Jimmy played football, hockey, and baseball. He went on to earn a B.S. degree in Parks and Resource Management from Slippery Rock University. Jimmy loved sports, but more than his love for sports, was his passion for anything outdoors. His love of the outdoors led him to take a job as a forestry ranger in the state of Oregon. After returning to Sewickley, he was hired as a flight attendant for Piedmont Airlines (US Air). He loved the fact he could travel half of the month and have the other half of the month hunting, fishing, and boating. He was a true self-made man and was an autodidact learner. No matter the challenge, whether it was tearing apart a 1980 Volvo 244 transmission and putting it back together, or wiring a home and electric panel, Jimmy would study it and get it done. Never afraid of heights, he took a job painting tall power cable towers when he was out west in Oregon and later bridges, including the Sewickley Bridge when it was rebuilt in 1981. When he wasn't flying, hunting, or fishing, Jimmy would purchase and renovate five homes, some from the ground up, and do much of the work himself. Jimmy’s love of sports and hunting came from time spent with his grandfather and namesake, James "DaddyT" Persuit. They spent many weekends rabbit hunting and Daddy T was his little league (Phillies) coach. Jimmy would fish and hunt all seasons such as turkey, bear, buck, and doe. His favorite spot to hunt and spend his time was in Tionesta, PA. From the age of 16, he spent years hunting and fishing staying at the "Meanor Camp", until he decided to build a place of his own in 1994. He built a 10 bedroom, 3-bathroom lodge on two acres, that he wanted his brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews to enjoy the outdoors for years to come.  He was also very generous and stressed the need to give back. As a young man in his twenties, he followed in his grandfather's and father's footsteps, and coached Ohio Valley T-ball and Bronco league teams, to help young kids learn the game of baseball. With his time at US Air, he started a company sponsored Special Olympics program in the Charlotte, NC area, and then here in Western PA, when he was transferred back to Pittsburgh. He volunteered to deliver meals on wheels each week in between renovation projects. Jimmy's smile lit up the room. He loved all animals, especially dogs. He organized family picnics, all sports weekends, Easter egg hunts, and trout fishing weekends. When he was 10-12 years old, he gathered a large group of his friends, and they would camp out in tents at the Walker Park shelters along the Little Sewickley Creek overnight, before the first day of trout season. Everyone was welcome. It became a tradition for many years for extended family and friends. He started a tradition of inviting friends to the Persuit home for Christmas Eve, which was followed by all his five siblings and that tradition is still alive today. Jimmy was always about making good lifelong memories and we have many! Peace be with you Jimmy Dale.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Persuit, and his best friend, Tina Bettor. He is survived by his mother, Rose Cicero; siblings Mary Persuit of Sewickley, Danny (Jenine) Persuit of Roanoke, TX, Robert (Jeanne) Persuit of Wilmington, NC, Lucy (John) Malarik of Bell Acres, PA, and Frank (Sheri) Persuit of Glen Osborne, PA. He also leaves behind eight nieces and nephews that he loved dearly, Jackie, Derek, Kelsey, Janelle, Sidney, Morgan, Jake, and Avery.

There will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on, Wednesday November 22nd, at 10:30 a.m. in St. James Catholic Church—Divine Redeemer Parish, 200 Walnut St., Sewickley, PA 15143. A Celebration of Life will take place later that day, Wednesday, November 22nd, from 2-6 p.m. at Sewickley Hills Borough Building, 349 Magee Rd., Sewickley, PA 15143. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: North Boroughs – Sewickley Area Meals on Wheels, 28 Pittsburgh St., Emsworth, PA 15202, (412) 785-7763. Arrangements are entrusted to the RICHARD D. COLE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 328 Beaver St., Sewickley, PA 15143. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James D. Persuit, please visit our floral store.