John Edward Pendergast

John Edward Pendergast North East, Maryland - John E. Pendergast, 78, of North East died quietly at home on August 6, 2009 following an extended illness with colon cancer. He was preceded in death by his infant son, David William who died May 22, 1960, and is buried in Waldfriedhof, Huttenweg, Berlin, Germany and his sister Nancy Minuti of Brewerton, NY. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Victoria, daughter Kathryn Pendergast Wolf of Annapolis, MD, and son Daniel Edward and his wife Jane of Powhatan, VA, as well as several nephews and nieces. John was born October 2, 1930 in Syracuse, NY, the son of the late John Thomas and Mary Evelyn Hogan Pendergast both parents and his sister are buried at Assumption Cemetery, Syracuse NY. He received a a degree from Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY in the first graduating class of 1951. Upon graduating from college, John enlisted in the United States Air Force. In 1953, he was accepted into the USAF Officers Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He retired March 31, 1978, after this prestigious Air Force career of 27 years during which he earned several distinctions including a Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, and a Bronze Star. During his retirement years John discovered his love of traditional Irish music through an introduction with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann CCE. CCE is a worldwide organization based in Dublin, Ireland, committed to the preservation and practice of traditional Irish arts such as music, singing, dance and language. He received recognition with the award of the Meritorious Service Medal from CCE in 2007, the second member to receive this recognition in North America. His many close friends and colleagues spread all over the world most importantly remember John as a generous, caring man of utmost integrity. His family remembers him with much love and is grateful for and will cherish their time together. We are all blessed to have known you, John, and our lives are forever richer for it. Slan agus beannacht leat - Farewell and blessings on you! John will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of John to Seasons Hospice, 133 N. Bridge St, Elkton, MD 21921. The family would also like to thank Dr. Glen Tinkoff and the staff at Christiana Hospital, Newark, DE, for their professionalism and devoted service. For condolences, visit www.crouchfuneralhome.com.