Paul J. Pendergast, 71, Westport Island, passed away peacefully at Maine Medical Center, Portland, on May 7 with his wife at his side.
He was born on Oct. 24, 1945 in Hudson, N.Y. to James and Luella Pendergast. Paul was a 1963 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in Hudson. He earned a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Paul Smith’s College in Paul Smiths, N.Y. in 1966.
He began his career as an assistant manager of the St. Charles Hotel in Hudson, N.Y. in 1972. He briefly left the restaurant field to join his brothers, Neil and James, in the mobile home housing business in Topsham. In 1976, he returned to the restaurant business as the food and beverage manager of the Holiday Inn in Brunswick. In 1978 he moved on to work as the restaurant manager for JC Penney Corporation in Brunswick and then to the Augusta Civic Center as food and beverage manager.
In 1981 he found the job that he truly loved; he became one of the original sales representatives of Kirschner Foodservice in Augusta which later became NorthCenter Foodservice and most recently known as Performance Foodservice – NorthCenter. Paul thrived at this company over his 33-year career, earning various awards and recognitions including salesman of the year three times. He considered many of his associates there his family. He was well liked and respected by his colleagues, customers and competition.
Outside of work Paul was a state chairman and longtime member of the Merrymeeting Bay Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He was passionate about college hockey and a fan of the Maine Black Bears. He had attended “Frozen Four” national college hockey tournaments across the country since 1992. He enjoyed life, loved to laugh and make others laugh; he was unmatched in his ability to tell a funny story or joke.
Paul is predeceased by his parents; and brothers, Neil and James Pendergast.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Catherine Pendergast; daughters, Elizabeth Flores and spouse Robert, Sara Carona and partner Phil, and Megan Lowe and spouse Jessie; stepson, Christopher Pendergast and wife Sarah; 10 grandchildren; a great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service to be held at 10 a.m., Sat., June 17 at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick followed by a reception at the Main Lounge at Moulton Union at Bowdoin College.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care at Tufts Medical Center, 30 Winter St., 2nd Fl., Boston, MA 02108 or Bethany Ministries, PO Box 432, Middleburgh, NY 12122-0432.
Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
