July 5, 1959 – September 4, 2014
WINDHAM — Stuart Alan ‘Toby’ Pennels, 55, passed away at the Hospice House in Auburn on Thursday, September 4th from injuries sustained in an accident on August 3rd near Rangeley. He was born July 5, 1959 in Chicago, Ill., the son of the late Stuart Alan Pennels, Sr., and Deborah (Dean) Pennels.
Toby graduated from Windham High School in 1977, and the University of Massachusetts in 1981, where he met his wife Brenda (Mierzejewski) Pennels, whom he married in 1983. He received a commission as a 2LT in the United States Army, and went on to complete 30 years of active and reserve service, retiring as a Colonel in 2011. His career included many high risk command and staff positions, including three combat tours with his final tour as the Commander of the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade based in Baghdad in 2007 where his unit received the Superior Unit Citation. Toby was a highly decorated Army Ranger with over 35 awards including the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and a Combat Action Badge. In addition to his military career, Toby was self-employed as an Investment Advisor for Penn Investments, Inc. Toby was highly involved in his local community. He sat on the Windham School Committee for 12 years, was a member and past president of the Sebago Lakes Rotary Club, member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and President of the Windham Veteran’s Association. Toby had many hobbies. He was the organizer of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club’s annual ice fishing derby as well as an annual hunting trip to Ontario, Canada with friends new and old. He loved working in his yard, spending time on Sebago Lake, skiing, golf, and moving his children from one apartment to the next.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Brenda (Mierzejewski) Pennels, his daughters, Taylor E. Pennels of Portland, and Jordan B. Pennels of Westbrook, and his son, Shawn D. Pennels of Boston, Mass. He is also survived by his mother, Deborah (Dean) Pennels of South Casco; his sister, Melissa (Pennels) Best of Thessaloniki, Greece; his Aunt, Elizabeth (Dean) Schechter of Green Valley, Ariz.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Toby was blessed with many friends who will also miss him dearly.
The family wishes to extend thanks to the Central Maine Medical Center Intensive Care Unit physicians, nurses, and staff, and the Auburn Hospice House for providing excellent care. They are also extremely grateful for the outpouring of support, comfort and prayer from the extended community during this difficult period.
Calling hours will be on Saturday September 20th from 1-4 p.m. in the auditorium of Windham High School, 406 Gray Road, Windham. A memorial service will immediately follow.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to:
The Toby Pennels Memorial
Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 735
Windham Maine 04062
or
Windham Veterans Association
P.O. Box 1776
Windham, Maine 04062
Toby’s life and the things that he has accomplished is a perfect example of “service above self”, the Rotary motto.
Even in his death, he is teaching us to live our best lives, make yours count as his has.
He inspired a confidence in me that I will take with me the rest of my life.
If he believed it could be done, it would get done!
The 2014 Ice Fishing Derby is a great example of that, he believed we could make it a great one and he/we did. He never took the credit, he always shared that it was a team effort.
He will be so very much in our thoughts as he guides us through next years derby.
I served with Toby in Iraq. He was a great soldier, a fine man and a good friend. The world is poorer for his loss. My most heartfelt condolences to Brenda, Taylor, Jordan, Shawn and the entire Pennels family. I will pray for Toby’s soul.
Martin N Stanton
COL, Infantry, US Army (Ret)
It was an honor to work with Toby on the IceFishingDerby.com website the past 7 years. He was a true leader and gentleman with a genuine passion for supporting the derby’s designated charitable organizations.
I will always remember his kindness towards others and his tremendous enthusiasm for the causes so near to his heart. I am profoundly saddened that we have lost such a great man, with so much to give, in the prime of his life.
My deepest and most heartfelt sympathy goes out to Toby’s wife, three children and the entire Pennels family.
I don’t really know what to say except the world has lost a great soul in the passing of Toby. I regret we were not able to hunt together again but I will always be grateful that we were able to get together after our tour in Iraq when he visited Media and in the Allagash bear camp. We spent a couple of days on stand together and we harvested a really good bear that season. It is a hunt I will never forget especially the look on his face after we tracked and found that boar. The photos from that hunt grace the walls of my home today. Toby had a smile you will never forget and I get to see it in those pictures everyday. I look forward to seeing him again on the other side when my time comes and to see his great smile again. I am so sorry for Brenda and his family and send my regrets for your loss. If there is anything I can do for you and your family please contact me.
Toby was a great man and will be missed by the many persons he touched in his life. He was a great soldier, father, hunter and friend. He did so much in so short a time and is smiling down on us from above today.
Sincerely,
Ed Fullmer
Garnet Valley, Pa.
The saying “the good die young” is so appropriate for Toby. We served together at Fort Hood. Toby’s wife Brenda was a member of my command and thru her my wife and I got to be friends with the Pennels. Toby was a great young officer, an outstanding leader and a great friend. Although our paths drifted apart, we were able to keep in touch for many years. I was especially impressed with his outstanding service in Iraq and his many achievements back home in his home town . Our prayers go out to his family and we wish them the best during this difficult period.
My condolences to Brenda and family. Toby, (LT-P to us) was my first platoon leader in the newly formed 2/1 Cav LRRPs at Ft Hood TX during 1983-85 when he made a tremendous impression upon me. I am saddened to hear of his untimely passing. I owe him a debt of gratitude for the impact he made upon a young soldier at that time. Those few years were formative in so many ways and prepared me for success in life over the years ahead. We LRRPs still stay in touch from time-to-time and we will always remember fondly our time with LT-P. HOOAAAH, AIR ASSAULT COMMANDANT!!
Steven Wagers, Colonel, Army Medical Corps Steven.a.wagers.mil@mail.mil
Thank you for your comments I will see to it that Brenda get your message.