John Pendergast

PENDERGAST, JOHN (JACK) JOSEPH III 78, After his heroic six-year battle against cancer, Jack left this life at 2:45 am, June 12. Jack breathed his last in his home surrounded by his family. Born on January 29, 1936 in Lewiston, ME to John J. Pendergast III and Grace McCarty Pendergast. Jack's family soon moved to Portland where he lived till enrolling in Phillips Exeter Academy, where he was a superb student and star Football and Lacrosse player. After Exeter, Jack attended Yale College where he continued to excel in his studies while starting on defense for the Yale Varsity lacrosse team, which he captained his senior year. Because of his outstanding contributions as a player, Jack was named an NCAA All American three of his years as a member of a nationally ranked Yale team. After graduating from Yale College Jack enrolled at Yale Law School, earning his LL.B. in 1960. Jack then began his career with Providence law firm Hinkley, Allen & Snyder where her served first as associate from 1960-1967 then as full partner till 2002. He remained "Of Counsel" to the firm while teaching at Rogers Williams Law School and serving as an Arbitrator for labor-management disputes throughout the state. In addition to his law practice Jack was involved over the years in countless church and other service programs. Jack served as: Trustee at St. Pius V Church; Rotary Club; Chair of Social Services Advisory Board & Member of External Personnel Adv. Board, Diocese of Providence; Smith Hill Center Board; Pres., Philips Exeter Academy Alumni Assoc. of RI & Yale Assoc. of RI; Providence Boys & Girls Club, Board of Directors; RI Legal Services. On June 14, 1958, after completing his first year at Yale Law School, Jack achieved what he always considered was his greatest accomplishment and, more importantly, his greatest blessing, when he and Joan ("Pixie") Shaw Cole married in Montclair, New Jersey. While Jack finished his LLB at Yale, Pixie continued her career as an RN. Jack and Pixie wasted no time beginning their own family as their first son was born 10 months later. Five more children followed over the next nine years. Jack is survived by his brother, George Pendergast, as well as his own wonderful family spread over three generations. Pixie (Joan), Jack's wife, is in close touch with all of their children who have given them 18 grandchildren. Sons Terry and Michael and daughters Mary (husband Chris Suchmann) and Joan (husband Ray Cox) all live close by either in Providence or South County, while John IV (wife Judene) and Tim (wife Paula) reside in Connecticut and Los Angeles respectively. The family has arranged viewing hours at Boyle's Funeral Home, 331 Smith St., Providence, 401-272-3100, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Monday, June 16. Jack's funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00 AM next Tuesday, June 17 at St. Pius V Church, 55 Elmhurst Ave., Providence (02908), followed by burial at Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery in Little Compton, RI. Rev. Sal Vahi with Rev. Augustine Judd, pastor of St. Pius V, assisting, will offer the Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jack's memory may be offered to: the Woodlawn Foundation, 56 Harrison St., Suite 401, New Rochelle, NY 10801; St. Pius V Parish (address above); or The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, St. Cecilia Congregation, Advancement Office, 801 Dominican Dr., Nashville, TN 37228-1909.