Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Crowhugger
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 08:32 PM

So sorry for your loss Karen. And for Mudcat's loss. R.I.P., Spaw.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: John Hardly
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 10:23 PM

The truest light to ever brighten the Mudcat. My sincerest respects to one of the most creative minds I've ever had the privilege of sharing thoughts with.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 10:36 PM

thanks Amergin for starting the search thru the 2680 results for 'Cletus' on Mudcat

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Amos
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 12:35 AM

Set the sails...splice the mainbrace...plot a course for the sun.

Spaw , 24 May 2014

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 07:00 AM

RIP Pat.

~Greg and Susan

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 09:51 AM

I never thought that I could have felt so affected by the loss of an internet friend .... Wow !!

I regret that I never had the opportunity to meet Spaw, RIP buddy, my condolences to Karen and the rest of your family ...

Frank, Sassy and Boys

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 10:38 AM

Really wishing with all may heart that there is a mudgathering on the other side of life. I don't want to say goodbye to Pat. Heart going out to Karen and family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: RolyH
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 12:25 PM

So sad. R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 01:26 PM

I have been trying for about 45 minutes to find an online obit that I can sign and comment on but not even a search for same in his hometown has worked. Anyone?

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 02:49 PM

So sorry to hear this, RIP Spaw

Gerry

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 02:52 PM

Cookie reset above guest was me

Gerry

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 03:39 PM

I mentioned recently that I'd been to see "War Horse".
One of the more moving pieces in that was the singing (by Bob Fox) of a song (arranged by John Tamms):

Faded away like the stars in the morning,
Losing their light in the glorious sun—
Thus would we pass from this earth and its toiling,
Only remembered for what we have done.

Only remembered, only remembered,
Only remembered for what we have done;
Thus would we pass from this earth and its toiling,
Only remembered for what we have done.

Horses and men, plowshares and traces,
The line on the land and the paths of the sun.
Season by season we mark nature's graces.
Only remembered for what we have done.

Only remembered, only remembered,
Only remembered for what we have done;
Season by season we mark nature's graces.
Only remembered for what we have done.

You can hear a version Here

A good farewell to any man!

Cheers Spaw.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: mayomick
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 03:58 PM

a great loving spoofer rip

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 04:18 PM

Here is the link for the obit. Thanks BM.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 05:08 PM

Funeral home obituaries have a habit of disappearing, so I wanted to post the text of the obituary along with a photo Bill D sent me.

SHERIDAN FUNERAL HOME Patrick Patterson (June 8, 1949 - June 20, 2014) Patrick F. Patterson, 65, of Bremen, passed away Friday, June 20, 2014 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital. He was born on June 8, 1949 to the late Walter J. and Margery Pittis Patterson. Patrick loved sailing, motorcycles, and music. He is survived by wife, Karen Wyatt Patterson; sons, Michael and Tristan. No services will be observed. Arrangements were under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.

Pat "Catspaw" Patterson Died 20 June 2014 Photo by Bill Day

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Janie
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 05:36 PM

Thanks, gnu, and thanks, Joe.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 07:29 PM

& from me

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 08:45 PM

My deepest sympathy to his family! Another Mudcat light has gone out leaving only fond memories of a great wag!

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Don Firth
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 10:30 PM

When I first posted sometime in 1999, Spaw was the first to welcome me aboard and invite me to stay around. His messages could sometimes get a bit colorful, but he in any discussion, he did have a knack for hitting the bullseye. I'm going to miss him a lot.

'Bye, Spaw. Thanks for the welcome and the kind words.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Hollowfox
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 12:04 AM

Everything posted above is true, so I'm not going to repeat the words already spoken, if I can. Pat was a lot like Bruce Phillips, and Spaw was a lot like Utah Phillips. The former were loving souls; patient, erudite, deep thinking, and caring about the important things while appreciating the small unnoticed beautiful details of this world.
Some few years ago, he and I arranged to meet in a small town we both knew, about the same distance from our homes. My kids couldn't make it, but Karen and the boys did. We all had a good time, and he showed himself to be such a good dad with those two bouncy boys in a diner booth. He'd remarked in a post that he was really kind of a quiet guy in real life, but he showed that he enjoyed a good visit with the best of them.
A couple of years ago, my daughter Amy and I were able to visit them all at Chez Patterson, but the only day we could do it was on Easter. What a lovely home! (it goes beyond "a nice house", and I think that Karen must simply forbid dust.) We didn't feel like we were intruding (I was a bit worried about that), and before we left, we saw the actual original possum ocarina, Cletus himself. We had so much fun we imposed ourselves on them the next Easter.

In reading all of these posts, one thing hasn't really been mentioned. Spaw was no fool, he knew that he was important and influential here. But he never alluded to it, and never threw his weight around, Unless he told one of us to get our fat ass out of a hospital bed, or something.

WYSIWIG was kind enough to call me this morning (many thanks) to let me know about all of this, and then I went to church. The first hymn was called And Are We Yet Alive, and I nearly bust out laughing/crying through the whole song. Thhanks, Spaw.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST,Heather Fielding
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 01:54 AM

I am so saddened by this news, Pat had been ill so many times and beaten it I thought he'd go on forever...

Karen, Michael and Tristan, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Heather

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: bbc
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 02:39 AM

Hollowfox & Heather--how wonderful to hear from you! Thanks for sharing the obit, Joe! Karen, continuing to hold you in thought & prayer!

Much love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 05:41 AM

Back after a weekend away and so sorry to find this news. Spaw fought well and made a difference. Hugs to Karen and the family. Candle lit.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Fortunato
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 01:06 PM

Hey, Max. Look what the Mudcat has done for all of us, the friends of 'Spaw. It's created a reality in which we began as virtual friends and often progressed to friendships beyond the web, in the flesh, and as some believe, beyond the grave.

Remarkable.

thanks.

Chance

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 07:22 PM

Condolences to Pat's Ohio family and to all of his extended Mudcat family. I hope they like fart jokes in heaven or wherever it is that the really, really good ones go.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Janie
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 11:58 PM

It really is remarkable, Chance. Thanks for pointing that out.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST,Bardford
Date: 25 Jun 14 - 01:09 AM

Thanks, Spaw. You done good here, and you will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Bugsy
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 09:51 PM

I'm so, so sad. I feel I've lost a good friend that I never met.

Love and Condolences to Karen and the family.

He was "One of a kind"

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Jun 14 - 10:01 AM

It's a helluva note when Fielding needs help laying about! Must have gotten a big job!

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Jun 14 - 01:00 PM

Spaw has become the ultimate extreme party pooper of all time.

He knew what was funny and what was kind without all the fear and loathing crap. What loathing he expressed I found to always be to the point, up front, fair, truthful and just.

He made pessimistic cynics like me laugh and angels like you cry, for all the best reasons.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Jun 14 - 01:45 PM

The fact so many people have had something good to say about him, says it all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 27 Jun 14 - 02:32 PM

Not fair, not fair. He was one of the good guys. RIP 'Spaw.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jul 14 - 02:49 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 06 Jul 14 - 09:23 AM

Ar slí na fírinne atá sé anois. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jul 14 - 11:54 AM

He reached out to a lot of people, me included, over the years. His subtle support was perhaps hidden by his over-the-top humor on the forum. It will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Bobert
Date: 06 Jul 14 - 01:18 PM

Danged...

Guess I'm late to the party here...

The world, and this community, are a lot poorer now... Not only was "The Spawzer" one heck of a loving man but one hell of a story teller and...

...both are hard to come by...

God Speed, Spawzer... You enriched my life...

See you down the road and we'll swap a few lies...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Janie
Date: 06 Jul 14 - 10:12 PM

Damn, I miss him. How many of us has he reached out to personally over the years with his deep caring and compassion? And one might never guess that about him simply from his public posts and wonderful storytelling.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: freda underhill
Date: 06 Jul 14 - 11:07 PM

..another one late to the news.. shocked, 'Spaw smashed me at online Scrabble, made me laugh with his wonderful mudhumour, and was a true scatalogical gentleman. 'Spaw, it's not right to write of you in the past tense, you light up the sky like a mudcomet. Love and best wishes to Karen and sons, we can only feel a little of your sorrow.

freda

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 06 Jul 14 - 11:52 PM

Late catching up, like Freda. Another brick gone, so sorry to hear it. Easy travels, Spaw...

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: ClaireBear
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 06:05 PM

I learned of this early on, but have been hurting so much I didn't even feel up to opening this thread until today.

Spaw, I never met you, but you were the first to greet me when I (finally) joined up, and I felt close to you for that and many other reasons, including some you never knew. Or maybe you did; I can't say -- you were very canny, though you hid it well betimes.

Anyway goodbye, old friend I never met. The old homestead won't be the same without you. Fear no more.

Jeni who used to be Claire

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 08 Jul 14 - 05:44 PM

I have not been a regular on the Cat in the last few years. It's harder, because I don't want a computer at home. My current employer used to allow access to the Cat, but it cut that off a few years ago.

When I think of the Cat, I also think of Spaw. I miss that I never got to meet him. I tried to encourage him to attend a FSGW Getaway a few times, with no luck.

Spaw was one of the early Catters. My impression of him was of a man with a big heart who was sometimes hesitant to show it.

Spaw once asked if his sense of humor was too "over the top" for the Cat. Of course it wasn't. I told him that to squeeze the last humor from a topic, it meant you have clearly offended someone. I felt the offense was the fault of the listener, not the humorist.

I remember that Spaw had multiple serious medical problems and I think he benefited from the kindness of the Cat, both in word and deed.

I've met some older people who complained about living so long; all their friends has passed on. I doubt of Spaw felt that way. It is at times like this that I feel that feeling myself, but I still keep pushing for more time on earth. I've learned I can keep on making new friends until I run out of people.

I will raise a toast to Spaw. I expect we will talk about him at the next Getaway.

May we all do as well in our interactions with others as Spaw did with us.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Jul 14 - 05:50 PM

Spaw 'almost' came to a Getaway once... it was, I think, our first year at Camp Ramblewood. They had, or were hoping to rent, a camper. He was trying to juggle kids who were much younger and both his & Karen's schedules. (I suppose one could search the threads and find that discussion.) It just didn't work out and then his medical problems began....

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 09 Jul 14 - 12:55 AM

One of the first posts I read on Mudcat concerned someone in England sending bicycle wheels to someone in Ohio, and the mention of a global music community. Over the years I have come to know these people by name (see above, Gervase).

Spaw's many posts were unique in every way and always caught my eye. They were must reading whether uproarious, supportive or contemplative. He had....style. One of a kind. Made the world a richer place.

My deepest condolences.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Genie
Date: 09 Jul 14 - 06:02 AM

I wish there was a "like" button here at Mudcat so I could easily say how much I appreciate and second so many of the warm, positive, real expressions of appreciation for Pat 'Spaw Patterson by so many other Mudcatters.    I am still so sad that Spaw is no longer with us here in body, glad that he is no longer in pain, and grateful to have known him, albeit only online, for over a decade.

Genie

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Jul 14 - 07:48 AM

My birthday was June 9th -- Spaw and I were born a day apart in the same year.

My birthday this year was very hard for me...the first year in 34 that Tom (Curmudgeon) didn't share it with me. I had trouble even thinking about it; no matter how fleeting the thought, the tears would come. I ended up spending most of the day in quiet contemplation, reading the Mudcat birthday threads for me that Tom had started and the thread he started when I broke my arm five years ago.

Besides Tom's comments, there were posts by Catspaw...Barry Finn...Katlaughing...

They will ALWAYS be part of the Mudcat community.

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 09 Jul 14 - 12:32 PM

RIP, Spaw. King 'catter.

Pete

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: gnu
Date: 09 Jul 14 - 03:39 PM

Genie... Like

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 10 Jul 14 - 02:25 AM

To Karen,

If He lives till age shall scatter,
May the frost be upon his head,
I'll love him as much, and just the same,
As the morning we were wed,
But if the angels call him,
And he goes to heaven before,
I'll know him when I see him,
For he'll kiss me at the door!

I just now found out.

You WILL see him again.

I had a quadruple bi-pass almost two years ago, where I died on the table, but was revived. That being said, while I was 'gone', I went to a 'place', and I did not want to come back here. The doctors even told my family, that they felt I was resisting 'coming back'....
..all I can say, is, 'You WILL see him again.'....and that is not a metaphor!

Use this time to prioritize, the highest things, values, compassion and love, first....it will make perfect sense later.

Guest from Sanity

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST,highlandman at work
Date: 10 Jul 14 - 01:29 PM

Belated farewell, Spaw... another great one gone on ahead. -Glenn

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: kendall
Date: 11 Jul 14 - 07:16 AM

His passing reminds me of John McCutcheon's song, Old Brown's head light.

"We knew it was coming, but it still don't seem right,now, they're closing the the old Brown's Head Light."