David L. Reidinger

David L. Reidinger, 83, of Cheshire, CT, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, CT surrounded by his loving family. Born May 5, 1942, in East Orange, NJ, he was the son of the late Sylvester and Margaret (McCormack) Reidinger. He was the devoted husband of Barbara (Hesterfer) Reidinger, with whom he shared more than 55 years of marriage.

David and Barbara’s lifelong journey together began when Barbara was in 7th grade at Our Lady of Lourdes School in West Orange, NJ. David’s brother, Bernard, started school there and was seated behind Barbara’s twin brother, John. It was then that the Hesterfer and Reidinger families were forever intertwined. Soon after, Barbara met David, and from that moment forward, he became her best friend and partner for life. David pursued education with passion and perseverance. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1974 with a B.S. in Business Administration, achieving the highest GPA at that time in the Evening School of Business. He went on to earn his MBA in Economics and Organizational Behavior from Michigan State University in 1977 and later completed a post-graduate certificate in Business Management in Inflation & Recession at the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business. David's career began in management with the Melville Shoe Corporation and Thom McAn Shoe Corporation, followed by a role in real estate advertising at the Newark Evening News. His talents in management and creativity flourished when he began employment with the Bendix Corporation (later known as Facet Enterprises) in Teterboro, NJ in their Inertial Guidance Division; then in Baltimore, MD in their Environmental Science Division; later transferring to Madison Heights, MI in their Filter Products Division/Commercial Equipment; ultimately relocating to their Filter Division-Residential in Tulsa, OK. After his years with Bendix/Facet, David joined the Carborundum Corporation, in Niagara Falls NY, as a leader in their Manufacturing Assessment Team for the U.S., Canada and the UK. His career brought David and his family to Connecticut in 1983 where he worked at Creative Output in Milford as the Installation Technician of the OPT Manufacturing Systems. In a unique and meaningful career change, David earned his certification as a Pharmacy Technician and worked with Olsten Healthcare, preparing home infusion medications. Beyond his professional life, David’s greatest joy came from music, community, and family. He was a lifelong participant in and supporter of Drum & Bugle Corps, beginning in grammar school with the Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights of Newark, NJ, and later marching with the Hawthorne Caballeros. His love of music extended into his role as an active parent with the Cheshire High School Marching Band from 1984–1991. He served as Ways and Means Chairman, Vice President, and President of the Band Parents Association, and was instrumental in building Cheshire’s “Music in Motion” field show competition into one of the most successful marching band competitions in the Northeast. Known for his enthusiasm, he was always on the sidelines waving his famous white towel, shouting “YOU BET WE ARE!!” answering the announcer's question of "Drum Majors...is the band ready?" as the band prepared to take the field. David also supported youth sports as a Little League umpire in New Jersey and Cheshire Youth Baseball, and as a member of the Cheshire High School Football Field Permanent Lights Committee.

Above all, David was a loving family man. He was the proud father of Rebecca Mayer (Peter) of Cheshire, and Judi-Lynn Reidinger of Cheshire. He was the cherished “PopPop” of his grandchildren Claudia, Hannah, and Myles. David is also survived by his siblings Howard (Linda) Reidinger of Ft. Wayne, IN, William (Gloria) Reidinger of Venice, FL, Michael Reidinger of Lake Hiawatha, NJ, Monica Lennie of Parsippany, NJ, Kevin (Lisa) Reidinger of Ogdensburg, NJ and Rita (David) Brownlee of Rincon, GA. He was predeceased by his brother, Bernard Reidinger, and sisters-in-law Carol Reidinger and Ann Reidinger.

Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire has been entrusted with his care. Memorial contributions may be made in David’s memory to the Cheshire High School Marching Band at [www.ramband.com](http://www.ramband.com). Online condolences for his family may be shared at [www.fordfh.com](http://www.fordfh.com).