John Peightal served as an infantryman in World War II. Following the war, he attended West Point Military Academy, but was issued a discharge due to injury. He then attended Albany State College for Teachers, graduating in 1952 with a BA in mathematics and history. He also eceived an MA in history from Albany, as well as a Masters of Mathematics form the University of Buffalo and an MA in Education from St. Lawrence University. Peightal taught high school math for 32 years in Lake Placid before his retirement.