PENDRAK,
JOSEPH J., Sr.
Joseph J. Pendrak, Sr. 95 of Cape May Court House/Avalon, NJ passed away December 31, 2024. Born in Philadelphia, PA to the late Ignatius and Teofila Pendrak, he grew up in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia attending St. Adalbert's Parochial School and Northeast Catholic High School. A lifelong patriot, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in October of 1948 and attended basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. He was trained as an Armament Technician and transferred to Castle AFB in Merced, California. He worked within the Manhattan Project when the Korean War broke out. He spent two tours of duty in England before being honorably discharged in August of 1952.
Joe then enrolled in Villanova University for one year before transferring to the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. While going to school, he worked at Philadelphia Gear as an accountant. At lunch one day at Josephine's Luncheonette, Joe met his future wife, Doris. They were engaged in October 1953 and married on May 8, 1954 at St. Martin of Tours in Philadelphia. They would have two sons, Joseph Jr. and Robert.
Joe went on to work for McArdle-Desco Corporation and predecessor McArdle and Cooney in 1957. He started in the accounting department and rose to the position of Vice President of Finance, Secretary, and Treasurer; until taking over as President and CEO of the company in June of 1983.
In August of 1993, he sold the company and retired to Avalon, NJ, where he had summered at his residence since 1976. Joe became very involved in the Avalon community. He was on the Avalon Zoning Board, Board of Trustees for the Avalon Library, Board of Trustees for the Helen Diller Home, served as Director to the Tim Kerr Charities 10K Run for many years, and Advisor for the Avalon Recreation Department; as well as a member of the Stone Harbor Yacht Club. Joe was also a member of the local American Legion and VFW.
Joe's wife Doris passed away in 1998, having battled cancer for many years. He went on to marry Elizabeth Mulcahy in October of 2000. Elizabeth passed away in October of 2023.
Joe was an avid sports fan, coaching his sons when they were young. He loved Villanova basketball, the Philadelphia Phillies, as well as all the Philadelphia teams.
Joe is survived by his sons: Joseph (Tina) Pendrak, Jr. and Robert Pendrak and his fiancée Barbara; and grandchildren: Michelle (Craig) Conway, Christopher (Kayla) Pendrak, Joseph (Rhea) Pendrak III, Kaitlyn (Sean) O'Brien, Brandon (Kaylee) Pendrak, Jonathan Pendrak, and Gabriella Pendrak; great grandchildren Peyton and Jaxson Conway; brother Henry (Loretta) Pendrak; and close family friend Linda Randazzo.
Joe is predeceased by his wives Doris and Elizabeth; parents Ignatius and Teofila; and siblings and their spouses: Walter Pendrak, Christine (Stanley) Maslauskas, Helen Pendrak, Frances (Edward) Wal, and Theresa (William) Samanns.
Services will be Saturday, January 11, 2025 at St. Brendan The Navigator Parish, Maris Stella Church, 50th and Dune Drive, Avalon, NJ 08202. Viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Mass will begin at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Cape May County Veterans Cemetery.
Condolences at
www.radzieta.com
BITTNER, ISABELLA Isabella Delores (Rutledge) Bittner, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at the age of 95. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Isabella grew up in the Southwest section of Philadelphia, in a small close-knit family where love, commitment,
January 6, 2025
