Pat was an amazing guy. He had his share of life troubles, as we all do, but he never let that stop him from bringing laughter and joy to people. There is not, in any memory I have of him, a single experience that didn't include laughter and fun. 

My last memory of him is a few years old now, as he never did make it out to thunder bay to visit while I was at school there, but it's an example of the easy way in which he managed to enrich gatherings and keep friendships alive. Bare with me, as my memory tends to falter at details (such as timing) - but I remember the important bits - the bits that came from the company and not the place.

Two or so years ago now I came back for a visit from Thunder Bay to see some friends. It just so happened that Pat was around, and we all (me, him, Chantal and my then best friend and roomie Candace) went to eat at east side mario's. Though we hadn't even spoken in years (not since highschool in fact) it felt as if he'd been there all along, so easy was his nature. He was more alive than I'd ever seen anyone, as he always was, electrified with life from the inside out. The details of what we talked about escape me for the large part, aside from our invitation to come to thunder bay to visit and go hiking and camping together - but what I do remember is the constant laughter. Whenever it died, he'd bring it back with something he'd say. Even in the middle of catching up, there were jokes a plenty. 

This easy-to-get-along with, passionately alive person was the Pat that I knew and this scene was just one of many in a history that dated back to my highschool years. He never met a person he couldn't make laugh that I saw, and he was always willing to try. For someone who suffered depression, who went through highschool feeling alone and bitter, he was someone who brought with him the very best that friendship and life could offer - hope, happiness and a ready willingness to include anyone in the fun.

This is how I will remember him, how I always have remembered him, and how he should be remembered - as the vividly alive, passionate, funny guy who so loved to be in good company. 

Cheers, Patrick; I hope you lived life to its fullest and I regret that we never managed to have that trip.

My sincerest condolences to Patrick's family and those closest to him who now mourn his loss. I offer my memories of him in hopes that, when your heart is overfull with that sadness, that you will see this and remember that, though he was many things to many people, he was always the one who laughed the loudest and lived the hardest. Remember him as he lived, remember the good times, and lay the rest to peace.

The ones we love never really leave us; we carry them with us through life in our memories, in our hearts.