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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 07:29 PM

& from me

sandra

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
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: gnu
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 04:18 PM

Here is the link for the obit. Thanks BM.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: RolyH
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 12:25 PM

So sad. R.I.P.

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: 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: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 07:00 AM

RIP Pat.

~Greg and Susan

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: 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: 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: 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: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 06:55 PM

What a huge loss to everyone who knew him. If there is a better place - I'm sure he's there already.

Thanks for everything Pat.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 06:28 PM

Spaw always seemed larger than life here on Mudcat, and he still seems to be very much alive here when you read his posts again. At least he will never have to put up with more threads about curly pows!

I shall miss his irreverent and lively posts - much love to Karen and the family in their sad loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 04:34 PM

Peace to Karen, Michael and Tris.
RIP, Spaw
SINS

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Will Fly
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 04:14 PM

Just back from a gig to read all this. Another one gone. What can one say that hasn't been said...

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 04:13 PM

I heard a lot about this sweet and kind soul on here. We never exchanged messages but then some of the most influencial poeple you know on here may never share a message with you either. It don't matter. What they were, what they stood for, and how they are remembered is what matters....

My sympathy to his family and many friends. And to the legend he will become...

RIP Catspaw :)

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 03:52 PM

Ditto Janie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Janie
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 02:58 PM

So well said, Gervase.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: GUEST,Gervase
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 01:44 PM

It's been the best part of a day now, and I've spent most of it thinking about someone I never met in the flesh, but who always seemed to be there with kind words, profanities and a kick up the arse during some pretty dire times, and who was also there to whoop and holler and share the good times.
I have to say, I'm bloody gutted.
I first came here back in the Nineties, and Spaw was already a fixture. I remember once, when he asked if anyone could get hold of some bike training wheels for Tris, I though,"sod it," went out and got 'em and posted them to Ohio. The picture Pat sent me of Tris on his bike, whizzing along with the trainer wheels giving him confidence, lifted the heart. From that moment, although we were never to meet, Pat felt like the big, bad brother I never had. The sort of person my mother told me never to play with, but the sort of person you always wanted to be with.
I always entertained the notion that one day I'd go back to the USA and head off towards the middle and find this daft big brother and Karen, his long-suffering but lovely wife and Tris, his hugely-loved son, and share a few beers and maybe put him right on so many things. Now that won't happen. And that makes me sadder than I can say.
Through the years I've been a frightful curmudgeon; saying "It's just an internet forum; no-one's who they really are; we're all just binary blinks for heaven's sake," when people have gone gooey-eyed over the Mudcat, or fallen out and thrown their toys out of the pram. Every time I'd get a PM from Pat reminding me that, actually, it was much more than that. Behind every little blue name and pseudonym was a person. It's not exaggerating to say that he changed my way of viewing the online world, proving by his close friendship that I was very wrong.
And now this close friend, who I never met, has gone. And so I sit here in north London, tears running down my cheeks, in grateful appreciation of someone who demonstrated so well that basic humanity is a damned tough thing and, like bindweed, with grow through and confound any number of modern things.
As Larkin put it, and in Pat's case it's very true, "what will survive of us is love."
Goodnight old pal. Karen; stay strong, he loved you to bits. Tris; he was so proud of you. The rest of us; we were bloody lucky.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 01:38 PM

Happy Trails, Catspaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: skarpi
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 01:24 PM

R.I.P ..spaw ...

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Big Mick
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 01:23 PM

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

Spaw (via Nigel)

Let me just "Amen"

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 01:06 PM

Indeed. So many wonderful posts. A grand tribute.

I am an emotional person. Yeah... yeah... I know... "No shit, Sherlock." But, I usually suck it up after a wee bit over these kinda things. Not this time. The tears just won't stop when I read the threads. So here is some personal therapy. I hope it comforts someone else. It's Spaw's 2nd or third last post to Nigel's thread.....

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: catspaw49 - PM
Date: 24 May 14 - 09:46 AM

So...............Whatever you can cross, keep crossed.

This is the end of another chemo week and that has always been my lowest point. Made changes in daily meds and diet to better work the balance between the CHF, Intestinal thickening, COD, and the MDS. Today (and this week) I feel better than I have in a couple of years.....and even before the MDS. I look better, have a lot more energy, less O2 demand..went out and ran around yesterday PM and didn't even pack any along....Hard to tell what happens next.

We'll see what the numbers do over the next couple of weeks and know more then. Balancing this crap is a hell of a juggling act and about half of it I know as much about what to do as the Docs. We upped the Lasix but with the water being the best source for stool softeners and the thickening of the intestinal walls, the added Lasix took that water away as well. So I modified my diet. Then I modified the Lasix dosage (okayed by the my cardio guy) to some alternate day dosage levels and things are moving, so to speak.LOL Better yet, there seems to be no fluid at all around my heart....This is serious progress.

Then add that the current chemo has a strong fatigue factor and so is then accompanied by a steroid has obviously helped. I really wanna' see the numbers now....Keep 'em all crossed Folks.

I know, and you should too so there's no confusion, MDS is not curable but I going to buy all the time with Karen I can. While this past year has been great together, there has been far too many 10 day periods of chemo misery and many days spent low in numbers before I can get blood. Nobody my age beats this. Not Nora Ephrom, not Carl Sagan, and not me. But June the 8th is my birthday and my wish is for one more year and especially one where I feel like I do now. Next year I'll repeat that and see how long we can do it!

Sorry, I'm still pissed over the 'Cat but that's just because I do really miss what it once was. Time passes, things change, and as Tom Wolfe wrote, you can't go home again. I'll get over it.......

Hugs once again for the crew here and follow Nigel's good advice: Set the sails...splice the mainbrace...plot a course for the sun.

Spaw

Thanks, buddy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Amergin
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 12:44 PM

There are alot of repeats in the stories....but so far I have about 30 some odd pages in word.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 12:22 PM

Cletus site:mudcat.org only 2,680 results

Not all are posts by Spaw, many would be other Catters referring to Cletus & the boys, & it would appear Cletus himself posted on occasion.

The first link from the search is from Spaw -Paw, Cletus, Buford, & the Reg boys - initial post 17 Jun 99, maybe the earliest reference to Cletus? and this is from Guest, Cletus

it's 2.20 on Sunday morning here in Sydney, so I'm logging off.

Maybe someone will have completed the job by the time I log in again later in the morning? she sez. hopefully

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat
From: Big Mick
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 12:20 PM

In the very early days I had to travel to Cincinnatti, Oho, USA from my home in Michigan for a Union organizing drive. Spaw had it in his mind that he wanted to meet me, and he drove 3.5 hours and we met for dinners, stories, and songs. I remember that we did a call in to Max's office, and if I remember correctly, Max streamed it out on the net. It was one of the earliest 3D "meets" and I remember how excited Max was. For days, and maybe weeks, people would ask me what Spaw was like in person. They were surprised (as I was when I met him) to find that he was a gentle, soft spoken fella. His love of the community, that Mudcat was at the time, was palpable. The fellowship was wonderful, the jokes (of which there were many) were raunchy and hilarious, and we became fast friends.

I will miss this man. My Gran, Winnie, always said that it is always about the coming and the going. As I have explored and mined that thought, I realize that the fact that we die can never be the defining event. It is natural and we all end up "in our box" at some point. The real point is to live an interesting life, a life of consequence, a life in which one has loved and is loved. Our buddy, Pat "Catspaw" Patterson has met all the criteria for that. Well done, pal. Your voice will always be found in your family and in the many friends you made, both online and in the world. See you on the other side.

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: bbc
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 11:58 AM

McGrath, that would make a great permathread. Anyone interested in attempting it?

bbc

Subject: RE: Obit: Pat "Catspaw49" Patterson - June 20, 2014
From: Janie
Date: 21 Jun 14 - 11:57 AM

Thinking of you, Karen.