May 22, 1948 – April 18, 2024

Our dear Pat, of R.R. 7 Pembroke, passed away in the loving arms of his family at the General Campus of The Ottawa Hospital on April 18th. He was 75.

Cancer hit Pat fast and hard, but he was courageous and a gentleman to the end. Before he went to Ottawa, he told us how lucky he was to have a caring family and great friends. He pointed to the house across the street where the Baileys put big hearts and a smiley face in their front window to encourage him. He was long touched by the Bailey family’s selflessness and by how excited Allison and Alicia would get when they saw him working outside. They held a special place in his heart. Every thoughtful gesture from family and friends in his final weeks inspired him to keep fighting and kept him with us longer.

Born in Pembroke and raised in Stafford Township, Pat was a sportsman to the core and over the years enjoyed bowling, broomball, curling, fastball, fishing, golf, and hockey. He carried with him a large scar on his left shoulder – a reminder of his high school wrestling days. We remember fondly cheering him on under the lights when he played catcher for the Stafford Blue Jays and in much colder temperatures, seeing him help coach his boys’ hockey teams on the outdoor rink in Alice & Fraser.

Pat fell in love with and married his west end girl, Lucille (Levasseur). They were rarely seen apart – unless he was off golfing or at the hunt camp. Their 50th anniversary party in August is a memory we’ll always treasure. The well-being of Pat’s two boys mattered more to him than almost anything. For years, they tried to convince him to dump his Boston Bruins and Red Sox for the Sens and Blue Jays. It was never going to happen. Pat was a loyal guy. We also think he enjoyed winning too much. He will be missed terribly by his oldest son Derek and his husband Joey Taylor of Ottawa, and his youngest son, Darryl of Pembroke.

Pat’s favourite title was ‘Grandpa’. He adored his two grandkids and was grateful to be at Gavin’s last hockey game of the season at Pem Ice 2 a few weeks ago. He knew it would be his last and didn’t care it was going to take a walker to get him there. He rarely missed a game or practice and was so proud of the young man Gavin is becoming. His softest spot was saved for Ava. Over time, she had by far the most candies handed off to her. They thought we never saw a thing. He would light up when Ava gave him artwork and when he talked about her sense of humour and her ripping around on his four-wheeler.

Pat leaves behind his sister, Geraldine and her husband, Peter Friedrich of Kitchener; his brother, Lawrence and his wife, Mary (McEwen) also of Kitchener; and his baby sister, Diane and her husband, Don Brooks of Moose Jaw. His in-laws were like brothers and sisters to him. Pat became an honourary Levasseur the day he married Lucille. Also mourning Pat’s passing are Romeo and Heather (Buist), Lise (Regimbald), and Denis and Nancy (Grace), all of Pembroke. Pat is also survived by fifteen nieces and nephews, and their partners and children, and many cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Agnes (Yantha) Nighbor of Stafford; Lucille’s parents, Lorenzo and Estelle (Demers) Levasseur of Pembroke; and Lucille’s brother, Marcel ‘Husky’ Levasseur, also of Pembroke.

We happily shared Pat with the crew at the Pembroke Golf Club and his co-workers at Smurfit-MBI, and later at KI and Mulvihill’s. Friends from golf and work formed a wonderful circle around him. We think of Pat’s friends who left before him and how deeply that affected him. Hopefully they can now get back to their stories and laughter together.

To Drs. Eydt, Locke, Seely, Sun, Williams and all the talented doctors in thoracic surgery, oncology, and palliative care at the Ottawa General – and to manager Ley-Ann Mondor, and nurses Bailey, Chantal, Heather, Immaculate, Jenny, Julie, Kristine, Melissa, Rachelle, Sacha, Tess, and all the dedicated clinical and support staff on 6 North West and to nurse Reggie in palliative care – thank you for looking after Pat with compassion, humour, and the dignity he deserved. You are special human beings. Heartfelt thanks to Erin Van Hoof who cared for Pat in March and early April when he was still at home. She treated him like he was one of her own. We’ll always be grateful to and for Erin.

Pat was never a fan of wakes and funerals. He used to joke about haunting us if we ever put him on display at Neville’s. To respect Pat’s wishes, Neville Funeral Home has taken care of cremation, and we’ll host a celebration of his life at a place he enjoyed spending time at – the Pembroke Golf Club – on Saturday, April 27 from 12 to 2 pm (with brief remarks from Pat’s family at around 1 pm). Lunch and refreshments will be served. We ask that you bring your favourite photo or memory of Pat with you.

Pat and his family have been blessed by many acts of kindness these past few weeks which allowed us to push through the exhaustion and sadness we’ve been feeling. We cannot imagine any person or family facing an aggressive cancer diagnosis and the road that follows alone. A walk or drive, a message or phone call, a meal, a hug, or some big hearts and a smiley face in your front window can do wonders. May others be as fortunate as Pat and our family has been to be surrounded by so much love and support.

Rest in Peace, Pat. We miss you already.