Frederick James “Fred” Pendergast, Sr, 84, a lifelong resident of Newtown, died peacefully September 20, three days shy of his 85th birthday. Mr Pendergast, lovingly known throughout Newtown as “G-Man,” was born 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, he 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 led his class at St Peter’s as the president.

Mr Pendergast 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.

Mr Pendergast 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 more than 50 years and retired in 2009. Mr Pendergast also went on to establish a lawn and field mowing business and Newtown Garbage Removal (NGR). NGR is still thriving today after 60 years under the care of his son William. Mr Pendergast was proud to be a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 185 and VFW Post 308.

His seven children and their spouses, Fred J. Pendergast, Jr, of Sandy Hook, John and Heather Pendergast of Sandy Hook, Mike and Marianne Pendergast of Southbury, Tom Pendergast of New Milford, Margaret and John Keayes of Newtown, Mary Pendergast of Sandy Hook, and William and Maureen Pendergast of Sandy Hook; grandchildren, Catherine, Brian, Stephen, Joshua, Rebecca, Kaitlyn, Zachary, Victoria, Lance, Wesly, Austin, James, Alison, and Luke; brother, John Pendergast of Sandy Hook; and sisters, Evelyn Andrejczyk of Monroe and Eileen Garlichs of Clifton, Va., survive him.

His wife of 47 years, Nancy (Moss) Pendergast, predeceased him.

Family and friends may pay their respects Thursday, September 27, from 3 to 5 pm and 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, September 28, at 10:30 am, at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown.

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