Pat grew up on the Jersey shore‚ where he spent most of his life surfing and life guarding. He lived in Hawaii for a year‚ mainly to surf during the day and work at night. He became friends with legendary singer Don Ho.

In 1975‚ Pat started his career with the California Department of Forestry (CDF) in the Sonoma unit. He was promoted to engineer and then engine captain in the Mendocino unit. He was a skilled contractor and coordinated many construction projects for CDF‚ later heading the lumber mill on site at Parlin Fork Conservation Camp. Pat trained inmate crews to fight wildland fires and led many crews on strike teams all over California.

In 1999‚ he and his Parlin Fork crew were cited as heroes for rescuing an accident victim who was trapped beneath her small pickup truck. They pulled her to safety after lifting the truck off of her and performed CPR until rescue personnel arrived. Due to Pat’s quick thinking‚ she survived and was present at the ceremony commending Pat and his crew.

Besides fighting wildland fires‚ Pat also led his work crews around the county to perform community service clearing state park trails‚ clearing brush and dead trees off of local schoolyards and playgrounds‚ and providing materials for the semi-annual Make-a-Wish silent auctions.

In his free time‚ Pat loved fishing‚ diving for abalone‚ and swimming with his two golden retrievers.

Pat left behind his loving wife‚ Michelle‚ and his children‚ Thomas‚ Joe‚ Jehremy‚ and Ariel.

Pat was a true hero in our eyes and is greatly missed for all time.