Please pray for the repose of the soul of Kenneth John Pondo, the father of Kathryn M. Lancaster 2007, Mary K. Francis 2012, and Karolyn A. Heffernan 2015, and father-in-law of Michael A. Heffernan (’15).
A funeral service is scheduled as follows:
- Visitation: Friday, January 29, 2021 from 6-8pm at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Front Royal
- Funeral: 11am on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church with Father Cozzi and Father Fasano officiating
- Burial: following the funeral, there will be a procession to Sacred Heart Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia for the burial.
You can see the full obituary (along with a livestream option) here: https://maddoxfuneralhome.com/kenneth-ken-john-pondo/
Kenneth “Ken” John Pondo, age 71, of Front Royal, Virginia passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021 at Winchester Medical Center.
Ken was born on July 30, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Eugene and Mary Pondo. He attended Walter B. Saul High School in Philadelphia, and he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1980. He served in the United States Army Military Police Corps and was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War. In 1976, he married his sweetheart, Karen (Swiggard) Pondo. Ken became a Pennsylvania State Trooper in 1975, serving Chester, Sullivan, and Wyoming counties until his retirement as Corporal in 1996. After his retirement, Ken worked as a landlord and used his extensive handyman skills in rental home restorations. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, St. John’s Men’s Group, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Isaac Walton League. He also volunteered as a Eucharistic minister, serving inmates of the RSW Regional Jail.
Ken was a devout Catholic who told his children to “keep the faith,” and who believed in the importance of “faith, family, friends, freedom and fun.” He was an avid hunter, archer, and shooter and enjoyed deep sea fishing (especially bluefish because “they give a good fight”). These passions were not about “bringing home the game,” but rather a manifestation of his deep relationship with God and appreciation for His creation. Ken also enjoyed cowboy stories (particularly John Wayne movies and books by Louis L’Amour), beekeeping, reading, and spending time with his family and friends. His Polish heritage was a source of great pride, and his booming renditions of “Sto Lat” at every family birthday will be dearly missed. He will be fondly remembered and missed for his jokes and humor, hardworking spirit, and unwavering dedication to his family.
Surviving Ken is his loving wife of 45 years, Karen Pondo; his five children, Ken Pondo II (Ashley), Kris Pondo (Alison), Katie Lancaster (Christopher), Mary Francis (Zachary), and Karolyn Heffernan (Michael); his close niece, Megan Putsch; his siblings, Eugene “Butch” Pondo (Mary), Barbara Kleinguenther and Mary Jane “Janie” Werkley (Jack); and his granddaughters, Audrey, Olivia, Lottie, Madelyn, Ciara, Sadie, Zoe, Elaina, Abigail, and another granddaughter due May 2021. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Karen “Fred” Clark.
A funeral service is scheduled at 11am on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church with Father Cozzi and Father Fasano officiating. Following the service, there will be a procession to Sacred Heart Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia for the burial. A visitation will be held on the evening prior to the funeral service on January 29, 2021 from 6-8pm at St. John’s.
The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at fb.me/sjtbdre1.
Flowers and/or memorial contributions are equally welcome. Flowers may be sent for Ken’s viewing on the 29th of January or for his funeral on the 30th of January to Maddox Funeral Home, 105 W Main St., Front Royal, VA 22630. Should friends also desire to make memorial contributions, Ken was very fond of the local Front Royal Pregnancy Center. Donations in his memory can be made at: https://app.etapestry.com/…/FrontRoyalPrega…/donate.html
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord. May perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.
