Patrick M. Pepworth

1932 - 2022

Patrick M. Pepworth
Patrick M. Pepworth, 89, of Saddle Brook, NJ passed on May 3rd, 2022.
Known by his nickname "Pat", he was born July 7th, 1932 in Aiken, South Carolina. His father, Wanford Pepworth, relocated the family to work and live in Connecticut on the Ziegler Estate on Great Island as it was better known in 1934. Pat lived there for the next 54 years.
Pat attended the Darien, CT school system and graduated from Darien High School in 1951. After high school Pat entered the military serving 2 years with the U.S. Army, 16 months of which was the occupation of Berlin, Germany with the 6th Infantry. After his discharge he returned to a position he had with Remington Rand Corp. in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Pat has been a member of the Noroton Volunteer Fire Department in Darien, Connecticut since 1952 and was better known for his time with the youth of Darien coaching CYO basketball at St. John's for 8 years. But his biggest and best contribution to youth athletics was his 13 years of coaching in the Darien little league. Pat was one on the original coaches, even though he did not consider himself as one of the founders of the league, he volunteered his service as coach in 1952 at the field what is now called Holahan Field behind Darien Town Hall. His first team he coached was the Fire Department team. He helped out with the building of the current little league field before entering the U.S. Army during the military draft of 1953. After his Army career he resumed his coaching past time in 1956 with the Kiwanis team. In his 13 years he coached 3 different teams which won 7 league titles. But his best known contribution was the management of 2 Darien little league all-star teams that brought national attention to the town. His 1958 team won the state championship and eastern regional title which qualified them to enter the little league World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Darien finally lost in the semifinals to Monterey, Mexico who went on to win the World Series.
In 1961, Pat managed the Darien team that won the state of Connecticut title once again and beat Sayreville, NJ team to qualify for the eastern regional. They won their first game, but lost to a strong Levittown, Pennsylvania team in the regional final which kept Darien from entering the little league World Series for the 2nd time.
Pat also had been very active with local theatrical groups after he retired from little league. He became very active taking acting classes in New York and performing with Fairfield County and Westchester groups for over 20 years performing about twice a year.
Pat's professional employment includes 11 years with Sorenson Raytheon in Norwalk, Connecticut, 13 years with T-Bar Inc. of Wilton and Norwalk, CT and finally returning after 11 years with Thermo Electric in Saddle Brook, NJ.
Pat is married to the former Luz Labanda, formerly from the Province of Leyte in the Philippines. Pat and Luz were married in St. John's Church in May 1986. Luz has been a legal Secretary in NJ since 1990 and they kept their interest with Noroton Fire Department by attending the family picnic every September and other functions.
Pat was last honored for 60 years of membership in May 2012.
In addition to his beloved wife Luz, Pat is survived by 3 cousins and in-laws in California and the Philippines.
Funeral services for Pat were private and provided by Kugler Funeral Home 311 5th Street Saddle Brook, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the:
Noroton Volunteer Fire Department Inc.
1873 Post Road
Noroton, Connecticut 06820