Frederick James Pendergast, Sr., a lifelong resident of Newtown, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2018, three days shy of his 85th birthday. Fred, lovingly known throughout Newtown as G-Man, was born on September 23, 1933 to Evelyn (Bresson) Pendergast and John V. Pendergast, Sr., at his childhood home on Cherry Street in Sandy Hook.

At a young age, Fred began to nurture his passion for agriculture and farming by milking cows for John Levy before and after school. He won several awards in the 4H club, spent many days at the SAC fields and lead his class at St. Peters as the president.

Fred was proud of his country, so with the approval of his parents at the age of 17 he joined the United States Air Force. He served in the Korean War from 1951 to 1955 as a tail gunner. He flew 29 missions on a B29 and narrowly escaped death when his plane was shot down. He received many medals, two of which were the United Nations Korea Medal and US Korean Service Military Medal with BBS.

Fred left the service and worked at the Fabric Fire Hose for several years but it was driving Bus #15 that he truly loved. He was an owner/operator for the Newtown Public Schools for over 50 years and retired in 2009. Fred also went on to establish a lawn and field mowing business and Newtown Garbage Removal. NGR is still thriving today after 60 years under the care of his son William. Fred was proud to be a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 185 and VFW Post 308.

Fred is predeceased by his wife of 47 years Nancy (Moss) Pendergast.
He leaves behind his 7 children and their families: Fred J Pendergast, Jr., of Sandy Hook; John Pendergast and his wife Heather of Sandy Hook and their children Catherine and Brian; Mike Pendergast and his wife Marianne of Southbury and their children Stephen, Joshua, Rebecca and Kaitlyn; Tom Pendergast of New Milford; Margaret Keayes and her husband John of Newtown and their children Zachary, Victoria, Lance, Wesly and Austin; Mary Pendergast of Sandy Hook and William Pendergast and his wife Maureen of Sandy Hook and their children James, Alison and Luke. He also leaves behind his brother John Pendergast of Sandy Hook and sisters Evelyn Andrejczyk of Monroe and Eileen Garlichs of Clifton, VA.

Family and friends may pay their respects from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on
Thursday, September 27, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 28, at St Rose of Lima Church, Newtown.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fred’s two favorite charities: Regional Hospice 30 Milestone Rd., Danbury, CT 06810 and Meals on Wheels of Newtown P.O. Box 122 Newtown, CT 06470.

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