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