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 https://www.facebook.com/katielandie.

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/onlineforms/FrontRoyalPreganancyCenterInc/donate.html

  12 comments for “Kenneth “Ken” John Pondo

  1. Bob & Sally Fedirko
    January 26, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    Kenny is a great Cousin, Ken will be remembered. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. My sincere condolences to Karen.

    • Chester Goldyn
      March 6, 2021 at 12:56 am

      Very Sorry Karen,
      I worked with Ken for numerous years at the Tunkhannock Station. A really great guy and a lot of fun. Enjoyed our deer hunting together in Vosburg and our rabbit hunting together.
      He will be missed by many.
      RIP Ken.
      God’s Speed…

  2. Bob & Sally Fedirko
    January 26, 2021 at 2:51 pm

    Kenny is a great Cousin, Ken will be remembered. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. My sincere condolences to Karen.

  3. Joseph A. Milburn
    January 27, 2021 at 2:12 pm

    Didn’t know Ken . As a proud Vietnam War Veteran I just want to extend my condolences.. Prayers for your family. RIP, Joseph Milburn. Western, Pa.

  4. John Gwyer
    January 27, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    Ken was a good caring man and a fellow Knight / Lawman. May he rest in peace in his final Roll Call with the Lord.

    10-8.

  5. Tom Traver
    January 28, 2021 at 6:54 pm

    I miss Ken Pondo. He worked on my first rental house in Front Royal from 1996 on and second rental house from 2006 on. His help was invaluable. He could fix just about anything you didn’t need a license for, and his painting was immaculate. The last time I talked to him in Dec. he talked about being at peace with God and looking forward to being in heaven. My sincere condolences to Karen and family.

  6. Michael Barbuti
    January 29, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    RIP Brother, PSP

  7. rick gay
    January 29, 2021 at 8:30 pm

    Mrs pondo , Kris , Kenny and family , i’m sorry for your loss Ken will be missed by all , he was a really great guy and always enjoyed talking to him and seeing him for deer season

  8. Dan Gay
    January 29, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    Sorry for your Loss. Kenny was one of my favorite people that pulled me over and had the best stories at our deer camp dinner. He will be missed and our whole family is thinking about your family in this time.

  9. Julia
    January 30, 2021 at 12:11 am

    Uncle Ken will be missed. Love and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss

    Bill and Julia
    Butch and Mary

  10. Victoria Emmons McMyne
    January 30, 2021 at 9:52 pm

    Thinking of the Pondo family as you say goodbye to a man with a wonderful legacy. Praying for all of you.

  11. Nicholas LaFata
    June 7, 2021 at 12:04 am

    Our condolences to Karen and family We got to know Ken as parishioner of St. Michaels

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *