Jack Pedace Passes Away; Former Enfield School Principal

Former Enfield elementary school principal John "Jack" Pedace passed away at his home in Longmeadow, MA Saturday. He was 74.

Pedace had a long career as a principal in Wilbraham, MA before taking the helm of Prudence Crandall Elementary School in 1988. After 10 years at Crandall, he assumed the same role at Hazardville Memorial School until his retirement in 2001.

Several former colleagues fondly remembered Pedace in conversations with Enfield Patch Wednesday.

"He was a very fine administrator whose strongest suit was that he loved kids," longtime assistant superintendent of schools Tony Torre said. "He spent a lot of time at the schools, even on weekends, where he would construct things for teachers to use in their classrooms."

Enfield Board of Education chairman Tim Neville, who served as principal at John F. Kennedy Middle School for many years, said, "Jack was a wonderful man - very low key, kind and gentle, and he loved what he did."

Former Board of Education member Pat Droney, who retired from the Enfield Police Department, served as a school resource officer during Pedace's tenure.

"He was a tremendous guy, I liked him a lot," Droney said. "The kids loved him and he loved them back, and he was very well respected by teachers, staff and parents."

Pedace is survived by his wife of 46 years, Natalie (Bongiorni) Pedace, two sons, a daughter, two grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

His funeral was held Wednesday morning in Wilbraham. Forastiere Funeral Home of East Longmeadow, MA handled arrangements.

What are your memories of Mr. Pedace? Please share in the comments section below.