Donald James Prendergast
Remember

Donald James Prendergast

  • February 12, 1926 - September 7, 2011
  • Saint Petersburg, Florida
Share This Obituary
Send Flowers
flowers logo

Flowers are messengers of hope when it's needed most.


Memories & Candles

“Dear Papa, You were taken from us too soon...you are with god now & he will take good care of you! we will miss you! please look over Grandma,...Read More » ”
1 of 3 | Posted by: Thomas & Jillian Prendergast - MA

“Don was my mother's favorite brother and spoke of him often. She told of his kindheartedness and loving nature and of his devotion to his faith, his...Read More » ”
2 of 3 | Posted by: Tom Spellman - Utica, NY - nephew

“God looked upon his garden And found an empty place. He then looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you ...Read More » ”
3 of 3 | Posted by: Melody Wallman - Linda Island, NY


Donald James Prendergast, 85, of St. Petersburg, passed away Wednesday September 7, 2011 after complications arising from pneumonia.
Donald was born February 12, 1926 in Utica, NY to Catherine A. Murphy and John H. Prendergast.
As a stalwart member of the "Greatest Generation", in 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy dedicated to fighting for democracy, and was stationed in Great Lakes, IL, and Mojave, CA as a medical corpsman. Bound for the shores of the Japanese mainland, his enlistment was truncated by the success of the allies in the Pacific and VJ-Day. Donald returned to Utica, NY and married Beverly A. Allbright, his wife for the next 62 years. Donald was an avid fisherman, and found no greater joy than plying the waters of the mighty St. Lawrence River in NY in his boat "Lil Bev", hunting elusive bass and northern pike, and spending the long summer days on beloved Linda Island. Donald was a chef-manager by trade running several successful organizations that serviced institutions such as Raytheon, Digital Equipment, and Trinity College. He was honored to have served such dignitaries as former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, with delicacies such as his award winning N.E. clam chowder.
Donald's legacy is both impressive and prolific. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, sons James, wife Elizabeth, Thomas, wife Deborah, Kevin and Calli, Mark, wife Christine, William and Trish Earle, Christopher and wife Kelly; daughters Catherine Pittman, husband Mark, Theresa Karangioze, husband Nicholas, Mary Louise Kadlik and husband Don. Grandchildren include Emily, Timothy, Thomas Jr wife Jillian, Sean, Marcus, Kigan, Karigan, Shawnna, Patrick, Lauren, Kathleen, John "Jake" James, Alex Karangioze wife Christina, and Nikolas Karangioze, Ryan, Ashley, and Jordan Kadlik, Andrew Pittman and wife Kasey, and Catie Pittman. Donald and Beverly were also blessed with two recently arrived Great Grandchildren Luke Pittman and Mabel Prendergast. Donald is predeceased by his brothers Air Force Colonel Fr. Thomas Prendergast, John "Jack" Prendergast, and sister Mary Lourdes Spellman.
A visitation will be held at Memorial Park in St. Petersburg on Sunday 9/11 from 1-3 p.m., public mass held at Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Petersburg on Monday 9/12 at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at Memorial Park in St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made in Donald's name to Bay Pines Veteran's Hospital; Bay Pines VA HCS, PO Box 5005, Bay Pines, FL 33744, attn: Voluntary Svcs Veterans Needs.