Patrick Arthur Downie, 76, of Port Angeles, Washington, died peacefully Thursday, May 17, 2018 with his wife by his side. From birth until death he found the tenacity and courage to endure various health problems, including an arduous journey with cancer. Patrick said he often prayed for comfort & strength, and wrote that even in his most difficult times, "I never feel totally alone." The same attributes he admired in his personal heroes - Lou Gehrig, Abraham Lincoln and David O. McKay - others have also admired in him: humble, courageous, dedicated, and spiritual. He defined success as being a trusted professional, recognized by others as a good and honorable man, and being loved and respected by your family.
Patrick was born in Los Angeles, California, on March 3, 1942, to Elwood Ernest ("Spike") Downie and Reba Wyllis Carlton, a commercial neon glass-blower and devoted mother. His fondest memories of childhood were Sunday dinners with his grandmother, Ann Carlton, sports activities, and also family fishing trips to the Eastern High Sierras of California. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1960. He attended LA Valley College, where he met his future bride, and finally continued on to receive a BA in Sociology from California State Northridge. He began his career at Lockheed Martin in the computer division of the company, after selling newspapers there for a first job as a boy.
Patrick married his eternal companion, Jayne Elin Johnson, on January 30, 1964, and cherished their 54 years together. In 1974, they moved to Port Angeles to raise their young family in a small town, far from LA and nearer to his parents, who had retired to Sequim. Pat and Jayne owned and operated the Royal Victorian Motel for roughly three years, followed by opening a local Baskin Robbins franchise in 1978. During the 1980's, Patrick worked primarily in real estate with Carrol Realty and as a developer for various local projects. Finally, he retired after twelve years supervising Volunteer Chore for Catholic Community Services. This final job provided him with a satisfying feeling of knowing he was helping needy seniors.
Pat felt he was called to serve others; the work he was most proud of centered on public service. Most recently, he served on the City Council of Port Angeles, from 2009-2017, including roles as Deputy Mayor and Mayor within that time. He was also actively involved in his church community, serving in several lay leadership positions, including Bishop of his LDS ward for several years. Some of the civic organizations Patrick belonged to included: Paint the Town, North Olympic Peninsula Visitors and Convention Bureau Board, PA Light Opera Association, City Planning Commission, PA Ministerial Association, and Rotary Club.
Patrick enjoyed everyday, simple pleasures: a baseball game, a long walk, reading sports history and other non-fiction, or an unhurried meal, which hopefully included peanut butter or chocolate. Or both. Each one of those activities was decidedly better with family or friends. Jayne and Pat also loved to travel whenever possible, enjoying cruises, trips to visit distant friends, Mariners Spring Training, and especially weekend jaunts to the Puget Sound to see family.
Patrick is survived by his wife, Jayne and their two children, Erin Craver and Lynn Crumb (Michael). He will also be lovingly remembered by his four grandchildren Ian, Heidi, Julia and Jackson. Patrick is preceded in death by his beloved parents, to whom he was a loving, thoughtful and dedicated son.
Published by Peninsula Daily News from May 23 to May 24, 2018.
No comments:
Post a Comment