April 11, 2003 Frank C. Prendergast, of Otego , died April 11, 2003. Frank was predeceased by his daughter, Nancy, and his son, Frank, Jr., and his granddaughter, Sarah. Frank is survived by his devoted and loving Irish bride of fifty-four years, Rosaleen, as well as by four children, Maureen A. Pineau, Peter [Barbara] Prendergast, M.D., Loretta [Sam] Scott, Patrick [Deborah] Prendergast as well as grandchildren John Pineau, Jessica Davis, Hunter, Hart, Peter, Erin, Rebecca and PJ Prendergast. He is also survived by his brother Robert [Patricia] Prendergast and sisters Roberta [Trigger] Kalenowicz and Cathy [Al] Martin. In the fine tradition of the Irish, he is also survived by forty-seven nieces and nephews. Frank was born in New York City and grew up in Jamaica, New York. He graduated from Jamaica High School in Queens. During World War II, Frank served with honor and courage in the 388th Bombardment Group as a pilot of a B-17. Frank successfully completed 35 missions including two on D Day bombing the Port of Calais in his plane, the "Jamaica Ginger." He was awarded the Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross. Not one member of his crew was lost during the war and he was the last surviving member of the crew. He was aptly inducted into the Lucky Bastard Club. Frank met his wife, Rosaleen [of Donegal, Ireland] while serving in England. He and Rosaleen raised five children of whom he was immensely proud. Frank's "ditch digger" speech inspired his children to become a doctor, lawyer, nurse and engineer. Frank endured many hardships in his life, survived them all, always forging ahead without ever holding a grudge. He is a retiree of Grumman Aircraft of Bethpage, Long Island. While at Grumman, he was a quality control inspector for the Apollo Program and later was stationed in Isfahan, Iran in quality control on the F-14. Frank is also a former President of the Otsego Delaware Board of Realtors and a member of the Kiwanis Club. He is already sorely missed. An Irish wake will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2003 from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta, New York and a Mass of Christian Burial wil be held at St. Mary's Church, Oneonta, New York on Monday, April 14, 2003 at 10 a.m. Arrangements by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta, New York.
Published Syracuse Post Standard on Apr. 13, 2003