BROWN, William Patrick (Pat)
William Patrick (Pat) Brown passed away peacefully at Sault Area Hospital on January 14, 2024, at the age of 75 with family at his bedside. He was predeceased by parents Reg and Merle Brown (Sansom) and brother Steve. He is survived by his loving wife Valerie (Simpson); sons Hugh (Clara Cristofaro), and Colin (Anna Mandziuk); grandsons Arlo Cristofaro and Eli Brown; sister Cathy (Robin); cousin ("my brother from another mother") Wayne Van Sickle (Karen). He was a loving brother-in-law to Debbie, Joan, (late) Julie, and Robin. He was also proud Uncle to Jesse, Carolyn, Christopher, Todd, Nick, Megan, Alanna, Benjamin, Brendan, and Emily.
Pat was one of the few people who knew his calling from an early age: he loved working for the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests (renamed the Ministry of Natural Resources, or MNR) as a Conservation Officer (CO), taking his joy from the people he met and the many lifelong friends he made along the way. Always keen for the next adventure, he moved with his family from southern Ontario to Kenora and then Nakina. Next, the family moved to Moosonee, where Pat took part in polar bear and walrus surveys, banded Canada geese up the coast of James Bay, and had a trip to the Arctic. His career then took the family to Temagami, and then to Hearst.
After Hearst, Pat and Val moved to St Joseph Island, where they lived for 27 years - the longest they ever lived in one place. From this idyllic home base, Pat helped start the first MNR Provincial Communication Centre in Sault Ste Marie. In previous years with the MNR he’d greatly enjoyed being a Peer Supporter, connecting with and helping his colleagues. Though he formally retired in 1998, he continued to work part-time at the Communication Centre for a few years after that, appreciating that he could keep in touch with COs old and new across the province. Pat and Val left St. Joseph Island for Sault Ste Marie in 2023, in order to be closer to specialized medical support when his health began to fail.
Pat's faith was an important part of his life and went hand-in-hand with his generosity. He held the position of Lay Reader for the Anglican Church most of his adult life, and served as Lay Incumbent for the Parish of St Joseph and St George's from 2011 to 2018, and continued to assist in services when he could. During the pandemic he faithfully went to church online from his computer in the basement. And even in the short time after he moved to Sault Ste Marie, he could be found each Sunday in the front row of St Luke's Cathedral.
He was an extrovert, always happy to meet someone new with his hand outstretched, saying, "Hi, I'm Pat." Whether you were a coworker, a member of his congregation, an extended family member (hello to the cousins in southern Ontario and New Brunswick!), a new church parishioner, the person in the seat next to him at a concert, the cashier at the grocery store, the nurse who was treating him for the first time, or someone he passed on the street who looked like they needed help – Pat was open, friendly, generous and delighted to get to know you. And no matter where he or his family went, he was sure to hear someone calling out his name, tickled to see Pat once again.
Pat was a life-long learner. He'd tell you that he hadn't known how to boil water when he first met his wife – a surprise, when he had just handed you some of his delicious breads or muffins. He was endlessly curious about computers and electronics; he developed a self-taught competence, while retaining an endless wonder about what they could do. And late in life, he began studying theology in depth by taking online courses from Thornloe University.
Pat delighted in family; to talk with him was to hear a steady stream of proud updates on what his siblings, nieces, nephews, sons, grandsons and 5th cousins three times removed were doing that week. He attended and helped organize reunions that gathered branches of the family who hadn't seen each other in years. Likewise, he held his friends close to his heart, and checked in with them regularly no matter where they were. He wanted everyone to know that he was thinking of them, and how much he loved them.
Pat's volunteer work included sitting on the board of the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association, SAH Hospital Board, the Hilton Beach Library Board, SSM Soup Kitchen, and many more too numerous to mention.
A Memorial Service will be held in April of 2024 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, St. Joseph Island, Diocese of Algoma.
Pat's family extend heartfelt and eternal gratitude to the caring, empathetic and professional staff at Sault Area Hospital, especially the Emergency room, 3C and ICU staff who cared for Pat in his final days. A special thank you goes to Dr. Rassouli and Dr. Shehata, as well as all the nurses at the Cancer center, for the compassionate care that gave Pat four extra years of productive, fulfilling life after a diagnosis of stage 4 kidney cancer. Finally, thank you to Rev. Susan Montague-Koyle and The Ven. Dr. Jay Koyle for visiting Pat in ICU to perform a blessing in the final days of his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to local causes that meant so much to Pat. Payable by cheque or online.
The Sault Area Hospital Foundation (https://www.sahfoundation.com)
ARCH Hospice (https://www.archhospice.ca)
St. Vincent Place (https://www.vincentplacessm.ca)
Pauline’s Place (https://www.paulinesplacessm.org)
Soup Kitchen Community Centre (https://www.soupkitchencommunitycentre.org)
Visit www.osullivanfuneralhome.com. to leave condolences for the family. Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, 215 St. James St, 705-759-8456.