John Vincent Pendergast, Jr, 93, a lifelong resident of Newtown, was called home to be with the Lord on May 4.

He was born to Evelyn (Bresson) Pendergast and John V. Pendergast, Sr, on October 26, 1931, on the family farm in Sandy Hook.

As a young boy growing up in Sandy Hook, John developed a deep love for farming, spending time on his grandparents’ dairy farm. He later relished his agriculture classes at Newtown High School, was active in the FFA, and found his way into 4-H contests where he frequently emerged victorious, but was particularly delighted when he was able to purchase his very own first tractor and calf as a teen.

John continued to enjoy growing a bountiful garden for almost his entire life and always loved sharing his knowledge and passion, hoping for others to have the same success. The look of contentment could always be found on his face whenever his hands were deep in the soil or riding on his tractor.

John cherished gardening and farming, but his greatest passion — one that soared above all — was flying! From a young age, he was fascinated by planes and dreamed of one day learning to fly. This desire and his love for his country led him to proudly serving in the United States Air Force from 1950-1953. He spent time as a gunner on a B-50, an experience that further fueled his love for flying. His knowledge of all things aviation made him the go-to expert, and he could tell you immediately when looking to the sky what type of plane was above and where it was heading. Letting nothing stand in his way, John pursued his dream and attained his private pilot’s license at the young age of 23 and thus began a lifelong journey of adventure and joy, including many fun, spontaneous trips with his wife Anna. Some of his favorite trip memories include flights south to air shows in Florida and one time even continuing in his Cessna to California. Every flight was a holiday in the making.

As times changed earlier on in his years, and a new career path was needed, John was led to the heating and air conditioning business and built a successful venture of his own that served him well while raising a family of four kids. His enduring love for gardening, paired with his desire for practicality, led to countless summer nights during the early family years freezing and canning the fruits of his labor. His wisdom and practical mindset, shaped by the era he grew up in, blessed his family with lifelong lessons. And count yourself lucky if you were able to obtain his recipe for stuffing or taste his homemade ice cream.

John was a faithful and lifelong member of St Rose Church and a patriotic man who cared deeply for his country. He was proud and grateful to be part of a long family legacy that helped shape Newtown. He worked hard for as long as he could and continued to enjoy the things he loved in his later years, including mowing his own lawn into his 90s, a symbol of his independence and determination. He loved his family and was proud of each and every one of them. His presence — even his stubbornness — his wisdom, and his unparalleled ability to always have an answer will be greatly missed, along with his gift for telling a joke, always with perfect delivery! No doubt, the friendly skies are brighter now that John is soaring!

John is survived by his loving wife, Anna; his daughter, Karen (David) Curran, his son, Joseph Pendergast, his stepdaughter Cindy (Duane) Marino and his daughter-in-law, Carrie Pendergast; his six grandchildren, Jessica (Nick) Stephens, Jeremy (Kendra) Pendergast, Andrew (Danielle) Pendergast, Rachel Pendergast, Michael Sereday, and Joshua Curran; and two great-grandchildren, Noah Pendergast and Lucas Shpunt. He is also survived by his sister Eileen (Andrew) Garlichs, as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family who will miss him.

He was predeceased by his sons, James Pendergast and Kevin Pendergast; a stepson, Robert Marino; a brother, Fred Pendergast, Sr; and a sister, Evelyn Andrejczyk.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 13, from 4-7 pm, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 14, at 10:30 am, at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, followed by interment with military honors at St Rose Cemetery, Sandy Hook. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Rose School, 40 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470 or The Knights of Columbus, Virgilius Council #185 (kofc185.org/).