Talk:Tom Prendergast

Tommy was born in East Saginaw Michigan, the son of John Patrick Prendergast who was a local Hotel/Boarding House owner and later Sheriff of Saginaw County(1888-1892). After working in his family's hotel business, Tommy went on to pursue a career as a professional Pugilist(Prize fighter/Boxer)in the early 1900's. Tommy would rise through the boxing ranks and go on to hold the title of Lightweight Champion of Michigan. Much of his time was spent in the boxing camps in the area known then as the "Flats" at St. Clair Shores, northeast of Detroit under the tutelage of the great Tommy Ryan. After retiring from the ring he would relocate to the Royal Oak section of Detroit and was employed as a conductor, switchman and brakeman for the railroad. Married three times, First to May Gerke Jan 7, 1902 in Carrollton, Michigan and then to Rena Moran 2. /Booth 1. (nee Pitts) Dec 20, 1915 in Toledo, Ohio, and finally to Leona Moffit of Detroit. Tom never had any children of his own that we know of. His many rough and tumble battles in the ring left their mark on Tommy's face and years of heavy smoking led to emphysema in his later years... Tommy died in 1960 at Lambertville Michigan and he is interred in an unmarked grave in Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania Ohio.[[]]http://s940.photobucket.com/albums/ad243/1971-LAND-ROVER/?action=view&current=68135589_131829500636.jpg