Rev Thomas A Kendall

Delmar- Rev. Thomas A Kendall, very nearly 95, passed from this world into eternal salvation on July 13, 2018. " My soul finds rest in God alone: My salvation comes from Him." - Psalms 62:1 Born in Syracuse, NY on Aug 13, 1923 to Margaret and John Kendall, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force in January 1942 and served as a B-17 tail gunner in the 100th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, completing 26 combat missions on February 28, 1944 and earning a ticket home. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Air Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation and the Distinguished Flying Cross presented to him by Brigadier General Jimmy Doolittle personally. He talked freely about his experiences (although very modest and self-effacing about his own service) and really enjoyed going to see any restored B-17 that came around. Upon his return stateside, he met and married Pauline Herscha and they enjoyed 67 years together. Pauline went to be with the Lord in 2011 and we are sure she was waiting for Tom with open arms. After the war Tom was a firefighter for the City of Syracuse for 13 years, but after being badly injured in the collision of two fire apparatus and answering a call from the Lord, he declined a promotion and left the Dept. to enter the Seminary in 1959 (he served as Chaplain for Syracuse Fire Dept. years later while he was ministering at the City Mission). Upon his graduation he was ordained in the Unionville Reformed Church in 1966 and served there for 3 years, not knowing that after serving in several other churches, God would return him to Unionville in 1991 and he would serve there another 27 years, finally retiring March 31, 2018, after serving God for 52 years. He was a spiritual guide and teacher to many people over the years, always ready with encouragement and uplifting words. He lived as he believed; in the power of prayer and an unshakable faith in God. We are grateful for the time God has allowed us to have him and know him. He was loved deeply and dearly by more than just his family and they grieve with us. In addition to his wife Pauline ("Cutie" to her grandchildren) he was pre-deceased by his brother Dick, his son John and grandson Jonathan. He is survived by daughters Kelly Kendall, Joyce (Walter) Crawford, Jeanne (Vincent) Carrington, in-laws Frank Esposito of Camillus, August and Phyllis Herscha of Rochester, Tom and Pat Herscha of Florida, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many, many loving friends. Psalms 118:14 "The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation." Funeral Services will be Friday July 20, 2018 at 12 noon at the Unionville Reformed Church 1134 Delaware Turnpike in Delmar. Visitation will be from 11AM-12PM prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Viewland Cemetery in Rotterdam. Contributions can be made in his memory to the Unionville Reformed Church 1134 Delaware Turnpike Delmar, NY 12054.