Obituary of Norman A. Pedersen

Norman A. Pedersen, 85, of 120 Harris Ave. passed away at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday (April 27, 2010) in the Heritage Village Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility. A lifelong area resident he was born November 16, 1924 in Jamestown, NY a son of the late Adolph and Edna C. Norman Pedersen. He was 1942 graduate of Jamestown High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the 3rd Calvary Reconnaissance Mechanized Squadron from March 16, 1943 to October 25, 1945 during World War II. During his tour of duty he was the recipient of two purple hearts as well as the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Medal with four bronze stars and the Good Conduct Medal. He liked to tell the story of the day General George Patton rode in his tank. Before his retirement in 1986, he was an Assistant Fire Chief for the Jamestown Fire Department working for the City of Jamestown for 35 years. He joined the fire department in 1951 and was promoted to Captain for 10 years and finally to Assistant Chief for 10 years prior to his retirement. He also spent many hours working as a mechanic for the former Jamestown Motor Bus Company, the Quality Markets Warehouse and for JNK Corporation. Norm always enjoyed traveling, hunting, reading about World War II, fishing and keeping his home and cars in perfect working order. He was a life member of the John W. Tiffany Post 53 Veterans of Foreign Wars, a life member of the Samuel Derby Post 556 American Legion, Frewsburg, a member of the Ingjald Lodge 65 Independent Order of the Vikings, the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, the Jamestown Morton Club, the War Vets Recreation Club and was very active in the U.S. Army's 3rd Calvary Reunions. Surviving are his wife of 60 years the former Marilyn Palmer whom he married November 26, 1949, a son Richard A. (the late Jennifer) Pedersen of Woodbridge, CA, two daughters Sharon K. (Jeffrey) Jenkins of Lakewood, NY, Kathleen M. (Joseph) Vacarro of Jamestown, five grandchildren Jessyca (Michael) Bernier of Ludlow, MA, Jonathan Jenkins of Chicago, IL, Joseph (Amanda) Vaccaro, Jason Vaccaro, Jennifer Vaccaro all of Jamestown, three great grandchildren Holden and Molly Bernier, Chloe Vaccaro, a step-granddaughter Michelle (Brandon) Mathews of Lockwood, CA, and a step great granddaughter Jennifer Mathews as well as several cousins who also survive. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by an infant sister Delores Pedersen. The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home. Peter Dawson, Chautauqua County Fire Chiefs Association Chaplain will officiate. Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Jamestown Morton Club Beneficiaries Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Jamestown Fire Department, 200 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701.