Obituary of George Pendorf

Burnett Harold "George" Pendorf, 87, of Sidney, NY passed away on December 30, 2024 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital. George was born in Bainbridge, NY to Ruby and Harold Pendorf on October 22, 1937. He went to high school in Sidney and graduated in 1955. He became an apprentice at Scintilla, a division of Bendix, where he worked until he retired in 1989. He then did odd jobs, mowed lawns and fixed broken machines for people in the community who reached out to him. He was a member of the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department for almost 60 years, where he volunteered numerous hours preparing meals, calling bingo, maintaining equipment, teaching others, training, and fighting fires. He was recognized as a lifetime member of the fire department, and by the Sidney Rotary Club for his years of dedication to serving community organizations. He and his wife Janet worked together to produce fine wooden crafts that they sold at local events, with him doing the woodworking and her doing the painting. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and especially enjoyed these activities with his son Jeff, and his grandsons Michael and Brett. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, and dancing. George is survived by: his son Jeff Pendorf (Shelly) of Sidney; his daughter, Pam Thomas (Randy) of Midway, KY; his stepdaughter, Kim Young (Chuck) of Oneonta; his grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Michael (Brittney) Pendorf, Brett (Jenna) Pendorf, Ben (Christina) Lester, Jackson (Katya) Lester, Ashley (Taylor) Baker, Marissa (Deric) Sutton, Torrey Mattice, and Jessica Mattice (Brandon); and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Pendorf; his parents, Ruby and Harold Pendorf; his brother, Daryl Pendorf; his sister, Ronita Holbert, and his nephew. Memorial donations may be made to The Sidney Fire Department or the Sidney Elks Lodge. George was feisty and somewhat cantankerous but all who knew him saw his kind heart and giving spirit shining through the gruffness. He will be sorely missed. The family will have a celebration of life for George in the next few months so that all who knew him can gather and remember him.