Charles William Pendergast

Charles W. "Charlie" Pendergast
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it". Psalm 118:24

Charles W. Pendergast, 89, died peacefully at home in Longwood, FL on Sunday July 9th, 2017.
Several Celebration of Life gatherings will be held in Florida, North Carolina and New Jersey, with the first of these in New Jersey at Sparta United Methodist Church, 71 S Sparta Ave. Sparta Township, NJ 07871 on Saturday, July 29th, 2017 at 11:30am followed by a luncheon. Arrangements are under the direction of Newcomer Family Funeral Home in Longwood, FL. Online condolences may be offered at www.NewcomerOrlando.com

Born in Woodside, NY on November 28, 1927, Charles lived in New York state for 30 years, then moved to Upper Saddle River, NJ in 1963, retired to Lafayette, NJ in 1985, and in 2013 took up residence in Longwood, FL to be near his two daughters.

Charlie was a fun loving, generous and kind-hearted soul who touched the lives of many who met him. He was an active church member throughout his lifetime, volunteering in many roles. He was a gifted singer and tenor in a professional Barbershop Quartet and had his five minutes of fame on Johnny Carson's "Who Do You Trust" show in 1960. He was a Big Brother, regular nursing home visitor and donated to many charities throughout his life. He was a talented artist who loved to paint believing it was a gift from God and as such, in later years any proceeds made from his artwork were donated to those in need. A member of the Art in Sussex County Committee, he was a three time blue ribbon recipient and the featured artist in 1997 showcasing 25 paintings at the Sussex County Fair. Charlie was also an avid train enthusiast.

Charlie served his country as a Technical Sergeant 5th Class in the army during World War II and was stationed over in Freising, Germany in 1946 as a Topographical Draftsman. He was the recipient of an Army of Occupation as well as WWII Victory medal.

Post serving, he attended NYU graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering. He was a lifelong telephone man dedicating his entire career to New York Telephone and AT&T as a District Manager retiring in 1985 after 38 years of distinguished service.

Charlie was a beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather and devoted and loving husband. He spent 62 happy years married to his first wife Bernice L. "Bunny" Pendergast who passed in June 2011. They had a very blessed life raising their four children, enjoying time at their cabin upstate NY in the Adirondack mountains, and were fortunate enough to enjoy travels near and far.

Charlie remarried in 2013 and began enjoying a new chapter of life singing, dancing and traveling with his wife of almost four years, Joan Smith Pendergast. They spent time living close to some of their children between their two homes in Florida and North Carolina.

The son of the late William and Henrietta O'Dell Pendergast, Charlie is survived by his four children, Randall Pendergast and his wife Dorothy of Ringwood, NJ; Laurie Barwick of Deltona, FL; Candace Pendergast of Longwood, FL; and Kimberly Okerson and her husband Gary of Monument, CO; Six grandchildren, Devin Pendergast, Renee Pendergast, Kyle Okerson, Michael Ricciardi, Dustin Ricciardi and his wife Erin, Jennifer Mosley and her husband Thomas; Four great-grandchildren, Aryana Ricciardi, Grace Mosley, Thomas Mosley and Lucas Mosley. He has three stepsons, Jeffrey Smith and his wife Beth, Thomas Smith and his wife Julie, Bill Smith and his wife Jennifer; and seven Smith step-grandchildren Tim, Annie, Cody, David, Zachary, Danny and Maria.

Charlie was loved by many and will be very missed.

Thanks, memorial donation may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (800) 822-6344 www.donors@st.jude.org

NJ State Fair, memo: "Richards Building Renovation/obo Charles Pendergast", 37 Plains Rd., Augusta, NJ 07822 (973)948-5500 http://alwayssomethinghappening.com/html/richards-building.cfm