Belmont, NY - James W. Patterson, 91, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville following a long illness. He was born January 14, 1922 in Ithaca, the son of Samuel and Minnie (Bristow) Patterson. On June 22, 1946 in North Tonawanda he married Louise E. Grawe who predeceased him on March 25, 2011.
James was raised in Batavia and was a graduate of Batavia High School. He graduated from Brockport State Teachers College in 1947 with a bachelor's degree in education. He received a master's degree in education from the University of Buffalo in 1949. He was a veteran of WW II serving in France with the U.S. Army in the 66th Infantry, Company K., 263rd Regiment from 1944 to 1945. He obtained the rank of sergeant and received the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Medal. He was employed as a Biology and Earth Science Teacher at Belmont Central School from 1948 to 1977. He was a member of the Herbert Delong Post 808 American Legion. He was also an avid gardener and a Yankees fan.
Surviving are three children, Marie Patterson of Belmont, William (Leslie) Patterson of Casanova, VA and Sue (Greg) Martocello of Chili, six grandchildren, Jeremy (Jill) Lambert of Camden, Jason Lambert of Belmont, Michelle (Scott) Stockton of Cheektowaga, Andrea (Nathan) Viar of Culpeper, VA, Adam Martocello and Kara Martocello of Chili, six great grandchildren, Alyssa, Brayden, Andrew, Kaylie, Silas and Sophia as well as several nieces & nephews.
A private memorial service with his grandson-in-law, Rev. Scott Stockton presiding will be held at the convenience of the family and there will be no prior visitation. Interment, with military honors will be in Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont. Memorial donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Greater Buffalo Chapter # 1, P. O. Box 308, Buffalo, NY 14207. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Patterson was a dedicated father and teacher. I knew him first as my best friend’s father who, with his wife, always welcomed me into their home.
ReplyDeleteAnything Mr. Patterson did was done well. His gardens were something to behold and were admired by anyone who passed his house. Guests for meals at the Patterson household knew they were in for a treat with Mr. Patterson’s attention to detail from preparation of the meat and garden vegetables to chilled wine glasses and with his wife’s fondness for baking.
He and his wife were quite a team. They made the double career household with children work by planning and sharing household tasks long before it became a national topic of discussion. As a child, I was grateful that Mr. Patterson carted his children and their neighborhood friends around for trick or treating and to the Andover fireworks each year.
As a teacher, Mr. Patterson was encouraging and made sure that everyone dissected frogs, etc., even when they were disinclined to do so. It wasn’t so bad under his guidance.
My husband and I have the utmost respect for Mr. Patterson’s devotion to his wife during the last years of her life.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most difficult time.
With sympathy,
Laura Francisco Whitney
Mr. Patterson was a dedicated father and teacher. I knew him first as my best friend’s father who, with his wife, always welcomed me into their home.
ReplyDeleteAnything Mr. Patterson did was done well. His gardens were something to behold and were admired by anyone who passed his house. Guests for meals at the Patterson household knew they were in for a treat with Mr. Patterson’s attention to detail from preparation of the meat and garden vegetables to chilled wine glasses and with his wife’s fondness for baking.
He and his wife were quite a team. They made the double career household with children work by planning and sharing household tasks long before it became a national topic of discussion. As a child, I was grateful that Mr. Patterson carted his children and their neighborhood friends around for trick or treating and to the Andover fireworks each year.
As a teacher, Mr. Patterson was encouraging and made sure that everyone dissected frogs, etc., even when they were disinclined to do so. It wasn’t so bad under his guidance.
My husband and I have the utmost respect for Mr. Patterson’s devotion to his wife during the last years of her life.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most difficult time.
With Sympathy,
Laura Francisco Whitney
Thoughts of Mr. Patterson bring to mind happy memories. I spent a lot of time in Jim and Louise’s home growing up, as Marie and I were best friends. During the summers Jim was constantly busy. When he wasn’t reading about science he was doing construction projects to personalize their home as the family grew. In addition, his beloved garden always needed attention; he and Louise worked as a team to water, tend and harvest the fruit and vegetables. The garden was a family affair with the children providing assistance as directed. The results were evident at the dining table. Each item, including meats and fish were personally selected and prepared. Fine restaurant standards applied. Where else could one be served fresh baby asparagus that would provide a childhood standard never to be equaled? Jim’s thought in and dedication to providing nutritious meals seemed effortless. With a gift to spark conversation, he made the Patterson supper table a very special place, and one where he shared his love with his family.
ReplyDeleteMr. Patterson had learned to ski in the Army. As I remember, he used this skill in his active duty. After his retirement he cross-country skied through the forests and fields of Allegany County. Beyond sharing memories of skiing and telling humorous anecdotes about his daily regimental life, Jim was silent about his military service. To me he was a living patriot, and a fine example of a military hero.
His dry humor was a delight, and exhibited mostly with family and close friends. His pranks, resulting in laughter and delighted shrieks are still sharp in my mind. He was a very proper man in public; his tell-tale sign of amusement was a widening of the trademark lopsided grin.
As a teacher Mr. Patterson asked his students to question why things happened. He then demonstrated how to answer the questions. In one experiment class members paired off and drew blood from one another’s fingers so it could be typed. When the results were known one lesson was dedicated to data examination using ideas the class provided. He used the next lesson to help us formulate the results of our work into practical applications. Notwithstanding my relationship with the family I was always treated equally with my peers in class; it was a mark of his professionalism and a privilege I never abused.
To Marie, Bill, Sue and their families, I hope your peace will be found in the abiding love your father demonstrated to your mother and to each of you.
Tessie Francisco (-Keefe)
I loved learning about biology. Who else would I credit for that, other than Mr. Patterson? I can see his immaculately clean classroom and him, standing ram-rod straight, in the front. He always seemed like a mountain of knowledge. And, he always seemed to live the messages he taught. He was committed to excellent nutrition. Maybe that's where I developed my love for learning about nutrition. Much earlier in life, though, I remember that sometimes our teacher in elementary school would be sick, and Mrs. Patterson would come as our substitute. I always knew that if she was there with her ever-ready smile, we kids would all have a good day.
ReplyDeletePerhaps what I remember most about Mr. Patterson was my interaction with him a few years ago. I saw him at the nursing home, visiting his beloved wife in the nursing home. According to the staff, he was there every day. How is that for a testimony to "in sickness and in health?" To my astonishment, he immediately remembered me. It had been closer to 40 years since I had taken high school biology, but he remembered me. We chatted for a bit that day, and it seemed to me that other than the gray hair, he hadn't changed much at all; such a sharp mind and a quiet kindness about him. When I think of my favorite teachers in high school, he was among them.
--Marie Biancuzzo Vaklyes