It is with sad hearts that Bert and Carmel announce that their father, Eugene Walter (Casey) Pendergast, 83, formerly of Waverley, passed away peacefully on Jan 15, 2015 at Northwood Ivany Place, with his family holding his hands. Born in Kensington, PEI on May 13, 1931 at the family homestead, he was a son of the late James (Big Jim) and Gertrude (Cullen) Pendergast. After graduating from St. Dunstan’s, Casey spent 46 years serving the people of Nova Scotia. He first joined the RCMP and served all of his 26 years in Nova Scotia. Early in his career he was stationed in Halifax, Pictou, Amherst and Truro before becoming NCO in charge of detachments in Sherbrooke, Springhill, Chester, Port Hawkesbury and the Halifax Airport. He retired as Staff Sergeant in 1976. He then served 16 years with the N.S. Dept of Lands and Forests as the leader of the Hunter Safety team. One of his team’s many accomplishments was introducing the Hunter Orange. He also served as President-North American Wildlife Federation. After his 2nd retirement, he became actively involved in the N.S. RCMP Veteran’s Association serving as Secretary, Vice President and President and was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the Province. Casey was a “big” man, with an even bigger heart. The most important thing to Casey was his family and friends. He was one of 10 children and he always enjoyed going “home” to PEI. He would get misty-eyed going over on the ferry or the bridge because he knew he was going home. He cherished his family and enjoyed calling them on their birthdays or special occasions. He was also known for composing poems for anniversaries, birthdays and retirement parties. Casey loved people and taught us all that if you couldn’t say anything nice about someone, then don’t say anything at all. He led by example, demonstrating daily the importance of hard work, honesty, integrity and commitment. He was the life of the party, enjoying dancing, playing cards and telling stories. For many years he and Kay competed across North America playing duplicate bridge. He was most often last to bed and first to be up after a night of socializing. His love of food was immense and that is how he showed his love, by cooking you a meal, or as every family member knows, he never showed up in PEI without his “orange cooler” full. His PEI roots were displayed in his love for gardening and growing way too much, thinking he was still on the farm, which he loved to then give away to friends and family. Casey was predeceased by his parents, his wife of 53 years Kay (Cassivi), who was his 2nd man, his sister Mary, brothers Bill, Eddie, and Reg, brother-in-law Ray Stanyer and sister-in-laws Lenora, Barbara and Donalda. He is survived by his loving children Bert (Karen Dodge) and Carmel, and his grandchildren, Stephen, Leslie, and his namesake Casey; his sisters Patricia Stanyer, Frances (Tom McSwiggan), brothers Austin (Ethel), Tom (Shelagh), Fr. Art, sister-in-law Eileen Pendergast and 36 nieces and nephews and their families. A heartfelt thanks to the staff of Fiddler’s Cove, Ivany Place, for the love, respect and exemplary care you gave Dad. He told you hours before he passed, “I just want you to know that I love you all very much.” You will forever be family to us. We know that he is at peace now and dementia can no longer rob him of his spirit. We all will miss you more than you will ever know. THAT’S A BIG 10-4 ! Visitation will be at JA Snows Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax on Friday Feb 6th from 1-3 PM and 6-8 PM. Funeral service will be held at St. Benedict’s, 45 Radcliffe Dr. on Saturday Feb 7th at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated. Burial at a later date in Indian River, PEI.
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