Obituary of Frederick J. Pendleton

Frederick J. Pendleton, a retired Mechanical Engineer at Boston University, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital, on Thursday morning, October 15, 2015. The beloved husband of 50 years of Patricia “Pat” (Sherwood), he was 74 years old. Fred was born in Waltham. He was the son of the late Martin and Helen Pendleton. Fred was raised and educated in Watertown. Fred was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving his country in the United States Army Field Artillery in Germany at the height of the Cold War. He served his country from 1959 – 1962 and was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal. After leaving the service he went on to attend Wentworth Institute of Technology where he received an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Fred and Pat married on October 2, 1965. They had just renewed their vows celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Fred and Pat settled in Burlington in 1968 where they raised their four children. They had a wonderful circle of friends in their Burlington neighborhood. He continued his education attending night school at Northeastern University while working during the day. Fred was very proud to receive his Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Fred started his own HVAC business (Frederick's Heating and Ventilation) and ran it for 10 years out of his home. He also had a very successful career as a Mechanical Engineer retiring from Boston University with over 20 years of service. Fred was a talented Craftsman and very handy. He had a workshop in his home and was always working on a project. He was very proud to refinish his Dad’s model sailboat which he spent endless hours restoring. You were lucky if you received one of his specially crafted pens! Every Christmas he put together a model railroad that his grandchildren looked forward to seeing. It is a tradition that his four children will continue this year. He was often found sitting on his back deck drinking his coffee while looking at the birds in his flower garden. Fred and Pat had a wonderful 50 years of marriage. If you saw one you saw the other. They traveled together, enjoyed going out to dinner on Saturday evenings and spending time together as a family. Fred was always game for world travels, having traveled to places such as Alaska and Italy. Friday nights were always reserved for his family's weekly pizza night where the entire family would get together and enjoy pizza and each others company. Fred was very proud of his 4 children and their accomplishments. His greatest joy was being a “Papa” to his 10 grandchildren who brought immense joy to his life…. just seeing them would bring a smile to his face! Fred was the beloved husband of 50 years of Patricia (Sherwood). Loving father of Sharon Arrigo & her husband Michael of Upton, Frederick J. Jr. & his wife Laura of Tewksbury, Christine Sheppard & her husband Keith of Burlington and Carrie Fortunato & her husband Joseph Che of Billerica. Brother of Martin P. & his wife Carol and Catherine McEllin & her late husband Joseph all of Wayland. Proud Papa of Michaela & Tony James Arrigo, Freddy James III & Lydia Pendleton, Samantha, Jessie & Ricky Sheppard and Dylan, Aidan James & Gianna Fortunato. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St. BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Monday, Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday 3-6 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Fred’s name may be made to New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston, MA 02108.