William J. Pendergast, D.M.D., 93, of Marion died August 17, 2012 peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
He was the husband of the late Betty M. (McCarthy) Pendergast formerly of Fairhaven.
Born in Boston, the son of the late William J. and Lenora M. (Noonan) Pendergast, he was raised in Dedham and lived in Weston, before retiring to Marion in a house which he designed.
Dr. Pendergast was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett.
He was a member of the founding group of Boston University Graduate School of Dentistry and taught at Tufts University Dental School. He a past chair of the American Council of Dental Therapeutics, a past president of The American Academy of Dental Science and a diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology. He was a well known and skilled periodontist, who practiced in Boston and Weston for over 40 years.
He was a member of the Kittansett Club, the Neighborhood Club of Quincy, the Gridiron Club of Boston. He was a dentist, inventor, architect, jewelry maker, fisherman, boater, and a Dixieland Big Band jazz lover. He loved his family and had a great sense of humor.
Dr. Pendergast served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he met his wife, Betty, who also was a Navy officer.
Survivors include 2 sons, David L. Pendergast of Dover, MA and Peter R. Pendergast of Boston MA; 2 daughters, Beth Pendergast of New York, NY and Julie A. Pendergast of Washington, DC; a sister, Joy Hale, of Glastonbury, CT; 9 grandchildren, Amy E. Pendergast, William J. Pendergast, III, Andrew C. Pendergast, Emily B. Pendergast, Christopher J. Vega, Alessandra M. Vega, Katherine E. Vega, William G. Arsenault and Elizabeth L. Arsenault; 2 great-grandchildren, Finn and Van Pendergast; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late William J. “Pendy” Pendergast, Jr.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 21 at 10:30 AM in St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett, MA. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284 or Macular Degeneration Association P.O. Box 20256 420 Beach Rd., Sarasota, FL 34276. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.