John D. Patrick Sr., who was born in Dracut, raised in Lowell, and lived later in life both on Martha’s Vineyard and in Cambridge, died May 25 at home in West Tisbury surrounded by family. He was 89.
As a 20-year-old private in the U.S. Army serving with the VII Corps, 4th infantry Division, John was a member of the invasion forces that landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He had worked as an apprentice electrician before the war and was assigned to the 1st Engineer Special Brigade where he was trained to detect and defuse mines, a job he did throughout the war. He also participated in campaigns in Northern France and the Rhineland.
John was especially proud to receive, years later, a special commemorative certificate from the Secretary of Defense of France, thanking him for his participation in the invasion.
After the war, John completed his training as an electrician and worked throughout his life on construction jobs around New England as a union member of the IBEW, Local 103. With his keen mechanical ability, John was never happier than when he was tackling a job around the house, fixing a machine or repairing something broken.
John was born in 1923, the son of John A. Patrick and Alice (McDonald) Patrick. He attended both St. Michael’s School and Lowell High School.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Lorraine (Bergeron); by his oldest son, Dr. John D. Patrick and his wife, Sharon Britton, both of Cambridge, Mass., and by their son, Logan Patrick, also of Cambridge; also by his youngest son, Neil T. Patrick and his
wife, Susan (Rutledge), of Glastonbury, Conn., and by their sons, Andrew Patrick of Rocky Hill, Conn., and Jordan Patrick of Manchester, Conn.; and also by a great granddaughter, Victoria, born last month to Jordan and Kristen Stone. He is also survived by two brothers, Leo and his wife, Jean, of Pelham, N.H., and Gerald and his wife, Jean, of Burlington.; and by three sisters, Virginia Byrne of Baltimore, Md., Arlene Aunchman and her husband, Daniel, of Lowell, and Dorothy Webster of Florida, as well as by many nieces and nephews.
Interment will be in a private ceremony at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in John’s name to Hope Hospice, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601. Arrangements are under the care of Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.
Comments
Comment policy »