Thomas E. Pendagast, age 80 of Shelton, entered into eternal rest on Saturday June 1, 2024 in Norwalk Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Jeraldine Pendagast, who predeceased him in 2020.
Tom was born in Bridgeport on Dec. 19, 1943, the youngest of 4 children of the late Raymond D. and Margaret E. (Poklemba) Pendagast and was a resident of Stratford for 45 years.
He was a proud Vietnam veteran who was served in the 101st Airborne Division in the US Army. He was a Salesman for most of his life in the Automotive Industry before his retirement. Tom was a Nascar enthusiast who many years ago would go the speedway and watch his friend race his Camaro. As Tom had no children of his own, he was very close with all of his nieces and nephews. At times he would bring a few of the older ones along to the speedway to enjoy the races as well. He just “had a thing” for cars and loved to work on them.
Tom was very social in his area. He would walk his little dog Jesse all around the neighborhood multiple times a day and stop to greet his neighbors. And if they happened to have a dog as well, they would let play together (as long as “Jesse liked their dog”) as he and his neighbors chatted.
Tom’s neighbors were more than that to him, they were his friends who in his later years always looked out for him to be sure that all was well. If he wasn’t seen around for a few days (if that long) they would reach out to eat other at different points of the neighborhood to be sure he was ok, checking to see who saw him last and where. And if that didn’t work, there was always someone who would stop by to check on him and spread the word. They were very fond of him as he was of them, they considered him their “neighborhood mascot”.
Tom was very generous, had a huge heart and a sense of humor bigger than life and his family will treasure all of the memories they had with him.
He is survived by his faithful companion Jesse (who has now joined his niece Tina’s “pack”, five nephews, John (Patricia) Antonelli, Kevin (Colleen) Pendagast, Thomas Pendagast, William (Margaret) Pendagast, Michael (Lisa) Pendagast, four nieces, Tina Ross, Margaretann Antonelli, MaryKate (Jeff) Sember, Kathleen Alvites, Karen Taylor and many great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Raymond Pendagast, two sisters Marjorie Pendagast Ryback and Elizabeth Pendagast Janusz and one niece Dawn (Fillion) Pivola.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the wounded Warrior Project or local animal rescue of choice.
His funeral service will be held on Monday June 10, 2024 at 11 am in Lawn Cemetery West Section on Lane Street Shelton. The Riverview Funeral Home 390 River Rd. Shelton are entrusted with the arrangements.
