David F. Prendergast

David F. Prendergast, proud resident of the East Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, passed away unexpectedly, but surrounded by the love of his family, on February 17, 2023 at age 58. He was born in Philadelphia on October 3, 1964 to the late Bruce and the late Edith Prendergast (nee – Charlesworth). Dave was the beloved "husbear" or HB of the late Robert Fritz; son of Helen Prendergast; adored brother of Mike "Bear" Prendergast and his wife Jackie, Michelle Jernigan and her husband Eddie, the late Linda Ellis and her husband the late Eddie, and the late Bruce Prendergast and his wife Stephanie, Jeannie Metzger, Eileen Junod and her partner Jimmy Piel, David Wagner and his wife Mariellyn, Julie Field and her husband Randy, Bill Wagner and his wife Jane, Cathy Wagner and her husband Tim Galie; he is also survived by a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, Marion Fritz and the Fritz Family, extended family, friends, and neighbors that were nearly family themselves.
Dave was raised and educated in East Torresdale, attending St. Katherine of Sienna, then graduating from St. Christopher's Parish School and Archbishop Ryan High School. He pursued higher education at Temple University and the Tyler School of Art, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree and expanding his natural artistic talents along the way. As an artist, Dave found inspiration everywhere and was able to harness that energy into any medium that presented itself, whether it be drawing and painting, glass-blowing, pottery and sculpture, or creating macro versions of small everyday items – ask anyone in his life about the larger-than-life penny that was prominently featured in his home. His artistic enterprises were often the intersection of both his career and personal life and led to his work being prominently displayed over the years in the Philadelphia Flower Show, and could be found on display during his time with Greensgrow Farm.
Dave and his late partner Fritz were not only inseparable, but together prominent people in their community as founding members of the East Kensington Neighbors Association and members of Neighborhood Advisory Committee board for New Kensington Community Development Corporation. At Greensgrow, a local urban farm, Dave could be often found with his buddy, Milkshake the Pig, or preparing for the annual Chili Festival. In their free time, Dave was also a fixture at Atlantis, the Lost Bar, where Fritz was the manager.
Dave's contagious love for life had an effect on everyone he met, he was quick-witted and even quicker to laugh. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Family and friends are invited to Dave's Life Celebration on Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 3:00 P.M. until his funeral service begins at 6:00 P.M. at the John F. Givnish Funeral Home, located at 10975 Academy Road, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19154. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Dave's name are requested to be made to "Street Tails Animal Rescue" at https://www.streettails.org/donate
To share your own memories of Dave with the family, please visit us at www.lifecelebration.com
Family services entrusted to John F. Givnish Funeral Home, 1-800-GIVNISH
Recommended Local Florist – Order Flowers http://www.ftdfloristsonline.com/unitedfloral/