Jerome R. Penberthy

Jerome R. Penberthy, age 88, of Tonawanda, passed away Friday, September 4, 2020 at Elderwood at Amherst. Born February 20, 1932 in Tonawanda, he was the son of the late John and Kathleen (nee Dolan) Penberthy and he lived a wonderful life. A lifelong resident of Tonawanda, he was a graduate of St. Francis Grammar School and Tonawanda High School. He was always a man of few words and the caption under his name in the high school yearbook reads, "often seen, seldom heard." Jerome rarely missed a high school reunion and always looked forward to the next one. 

Jerome was a skilled craftsman and after high school, he worked at the Allan Herschell Factory, making carousels, until they closed. Following this, he worked for 30 years at the City of Tonawanda Post Office, where he was a familiar face greeting customers for many years at the front counter. One of Jerome's proudest accomplishments was his 41 years of service in the New York State National Guard, where he retired as a Master Sergeant. His unit was one of the first to respond to the Attica Prison riot in 1971, and they were called up for nearly two weeks during the Blizzard of '77.

In his later years, one of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren. He would spend hours tirelessly playing whatever games they chose, and they no doubt added life to his years. He was a devout Catholic and akin to the Post Office motto, he never allowed rain, sleet, or snow to stop him from getting to Mass. He attended regularly until late last year.

He was the husband of 58 years to the late Patricia (nee Sparks) Penberthy, who died August 21, 2017; father of Kevin (Judy) Penberthy of the Town of Tonawanda, Mary Jo (Mark) Mariani of Clarence, and Christopher (Autum) Penberthy of the Town of Tonawanda; and devoted grandfather of Julianna, Morgan, Sarah, and Rebecca.

There is no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM Tuesday at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 150 Broad Street at Clinton Park, Tonawanda. Friends invited. If desired, memorials to the St. Labre Indian School, 1000 Tongue River Road, Ashland, MT 59003, or at website link below,  are preferred by the family.

While Jerome was deeply loved and will be greatly missed, his family takes solace in knowing that he is at peace and is now on angel's wings.

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