Livonia: January 17, 2015 peacefully at home at age 80 years. Predeceased by his parents Thomas & Agnes Pendergast and his brothers James & John. Survived by his wife of 52 years Carol (Vollmer) Pendergast and children; Christine Pendergast, Thomas Pendergast, and Cheryl (Michael) Whitmarsh all of Livonia. Grandchildren; Tony (Nikki Lee) Whitmarsh, Nicole Whitmarsh, and Brendon Pendergast. Great-granddaughter; Emma Marie Whitmarsh. Nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other friends in the Livonia Community including the Livonia Fire Dept. & the First Presbyterian Church of Livonia.
Leo E. Pendergast was born on December 4, 1934 in Rochester, NY to parents Thomas and Agnes (Costello) Pendergast. He attended St. Boniface grade school, Aquinas High School, and later Monroe Community College. He was a 3.50 student and was on the Dean’s List.
In his younger years Leo worked at Gregory Food Center and had a paper route while in school. He later was a Penitentiary Guard, worked at E.I.DuPont, and retired as a Social Work Administrator at the Lewis Street Center, Rochester, NY, where he worked from 1967-1998. He continued under contract doing same work under Rural Opportunities Inc. (ROI) which then became Pathstone through 2011. Back in 1971 forces joined Lewis Street with Monroe County DSS, Temple B’rith Kodesh, to begin TEMPRO, an Emergency Housing Program to assist victims of fires, domestic violence, or persons in need of emergency housing. This program began with three houses and grew to 13 units. By 2006 this program served 6,000 people and saved Monroe County $5 million.
Leo enjoyed the work he did and was also a foster parent for 10 years. He was a member of the Livonia Fire Department for many years. Leo Joined LVFD in February 1999 and served as Fire Police Captain as well as VP & President. He was the oldest person to complete Firefighter Scene Support, earning an “Atta-boy” Award. He was also awarded the Geo. L. Neidert Fire Police of the Year by Western NY Volunteer Firefighters Association in 2002. He also received the Richard Cox award, ROI Hall of Fame – advocate for homeless in Rochester, NY, the Senior Citizen Award for Livonia, A Certificate of Appreciation from the Native American Cultural Center, and was given the Marathon Man Certificate by the Lewis Street Center.
Friends may call on Friday, January 23rd, from 4-7pm at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 21 Big Tree St., Rte 15&20A, Livonia. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 24th, at 10am at the First Presbyterian Church of Livonia, 3837 Center Street, Livonia Center, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Livonia, PO Box 46, Livonia Center, NY 14488 or the Livonia Fire Dept., PO Box 151, Livonia, NY 14487. To send a condolence and for further information please visit:
www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Carol and Family, So sorry to hear of Leo’s passing,He is in a better place now. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Cheryl, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad! I know that you had a special place in your heart for him. This will be a tough week, but lean on your family and friends for support. We all love you! You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Carol and family…I was saddened to hear of Leo’s passing. I vividly remember how much he showed concern and compassion when Ted was ill. He frequently called our house to check in on us, and made sure we received flowers and some wonderful fudge that you made, Carol. He loved it!!! I also recall the great after-funeral luncheon that you all provided at the Fire House for my grieving family and friends. My sincere sympathies to all of you in your sorrow. He was a one-of-a-kind caring man, and will be missed by all who knew him. Probably he and Ted are talking “Fire Department” in heaven now. You all have so many fine memories to help you through this difficult time. My thoughts are with you….
Most sincerely, Marlene Arnold
Cheryl, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I know he held a special place in your heart. As you did in his. I know this week will be difficult but you have your family and friends praying and supporting you. I will be keep all of you in my prayers. Love to you all.
Carol and family
I am so sorry to hear of his passing away. He was a great man and will be sorely missed by all his fire department friends. I won’t be here to attend the funeral, but I will keep you in my prayers
Carol and Cheryl and the rest of the Pendergast family. I am sorry for your loss.
God Bless you all
Cheryl, and family. I am so sorry for the loss of a husband, a Dad, a Granpa, and Great Grandpa, as well as a brothers , and Uncle. I am sorry, also a man that cared about his community, and loved his family. If your Dad’s personality is anything like tours, he had to be a really amazing man. Your parents taught you well. You good heart, your care for people, and the love you show to your family, and friends is a part of who your parents are. In anything you ever did Cheryl, you took pride in your work, cared, and met challenges well. You have shown this with your own children, and granddaughter. I am praying for your Mom, you, and your entire family. I cannot say I was proud to know you, and work with too. All of you have special memories, and will think of them often. I have no doubt he will be missed by his family, and friends. I am sure he made a difference in the community, and has left his footprints on all of your hearts. A special prayer for tour Mom for she was his wife for many years, and they shared so much. I pray that all of you remember the joy, and happiness he brought each of you. You are thought about often. You or your family will not get over this in 3 days. It will take some time. I ask that each of you be given strength, comfort, faith, and peace. I called Deanne to let her know. I hope to get there either Friday the 23rd ,o Saturday for his service. I am thinking of you. I take each as a new one forI never know what will happen with my son. I know Barb will be a big support for you. I may not see you, but you are not forgotten.
Leo was a kind and friendly man with a great sense of humor. He had a huge heart and cared for people… none more than his family. Proud to have known him. It’s a sad, sad day. Much love to all of you, Carol, chris, tom, Cheri, Michael, tony and Nikki, and Nicole.
Aunt Carol , Chris , Cheryl, Tommy He was a great man. Always laughing joking and making the day a lot brighter. Our prayers are with you all. Love and hugs to you all.