David A. Persing passed away Friday, November 20, in New York City. He passed with his beloved wife, Hope Cone, and their twins, Syd and Zach, by his side.
David grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, where his friends and Bergen Catholic classmates knew him as just “Bear.” He ventured west to proudly attend the University of Notre Dame, which led to a lifelong love affair with Notre Dame football, basketball, and his college buddies. David came home to New Jersey to attend Rutgers Law School where he earned his law degree but, more importantly, met the love of his life, Hope. They were married for more than 33 years. David also earned an MBA from Columbia University.
David enjoyed a successful 35-year career as a corporate attorney and business executive. He worked at law firms in New Jersey and New York, and ultimately served for many years as General Counsel at Metromedia Company. David loved to learn and saw education as a lifelong endeavor. Notwithstanding all his success in law and busine ss, he had a true passion for exploring topics unrelated to his career and formal education; David devoured podcasts, books, and documentaries about classic cinema, astronomy, and the Kennedy assassination. He was equally enamored with current events and was always eager to learn about perspectives different from his own. He told his children, “information is our friend,” and taught them the importance of keeping an open mind. David also shared that love of learning with every young adult he was fortunate to meet. He felt so muchpleasure in mentoring the twins’ classmates, teammates, and roommates, helping them with life challenges, career guidance, and law school applications.
Those who knew David rarely thought first of his career successes or intellect. They knew him as a kind and devoted family man and loyal friend with a gentle soul. David was a doting husband, happiest while taking hikes and enjoying the outdoors with Hope and their two Goldendoodles, Charlie and Louie. His eyes sparkled discussing legal theory with Zach, who is following in his father’s footsteps as a law student. He beamed with pride cheering on Syd as she competed on the UNC women’s fencing team. In her four years, David never missed a meet. He showed that same dedication to his dear friends, with whom he laughed, joked, and celebrated life for more than six decades.
In addition to his wife and children,
