In the '70's I worked at the NY Folklore Center. Pat came in one day, and I had a Frank Profitt banjo that dave van Ronk had given me. It was sadly in need of repair, broken skin head, no friction tuners. I asked Pat if he knew who could fix it. He took it to the repair bench, and an hour later it was done. Amazing man! I would see him at The Gaslight, and drink with him at The Kettle of Fish next door. Talented,funny, and a real mensch as we used to say. He taught me a banjo tune that he had written THE RHODE ISLAND REEL, which I passed on to my friend Stephen Wade who has recently recorded his version of it. Patrick will be missed. Mark Ross
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