JAMES TAYLOR (PAT) PATTERSON

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JAMES TAYLOR (PAT) PATTERSON January 1, 1924 January 25, 2008 Pat was born January 1, 1924 in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the second son of William and Emily Patterson. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1926 where his father was employed by T. Eaton Co.. Unfortunately, his mother was killed in June 1927. A few years later, Pat and his brother Bill were blessed with a new mother when his father married Anne Donaldson. Pat was educated at LaVerendrey, Earl Grey and Kelvin. In 1941, he was employed by Bank of Montreal and the following year, at age 18, he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. After his pilot training ceased at S.F.T.S. Saskatoon, he graduated as a Bomb Aimer/ Navigator and was posted overseas in October 1943. He flew with 431 Iroquois Squadron at Croft, York. On his 30th operational flight, his Lancaster Aircraft was shot down over Holland killing his pilot and flight engineer; the rest of the crew parachuted safely. Pat was captured the following morning and was sent to Stalag Luft VII Bankau. In January 1945, the camp was evacuated ahead of advancing Russian forces and, after a bitter winter march with little food, arrived at Stalag III at Luckenwalde, south of Berlin. The camp was subsequently liberated by the Russian army and in early May, Pat was flown by air ambulance to England. After a period of hospitalization and rehab, he returned to Canada and was discharged in the rank of Flying Officer in September of 1945. Pat rejoined the Bank and served in various branches in Manitoba/Saskatchewan/N. Ontario. He met his dear wife, Marnie, in 1957 and they were married in Port Arthur, Ontario in 1961. Pat retired from the bank in 1979 and was subsequently employed at the Taxation Division for eight years. Unfortunately, his wife Marnie passed away on March 31, 1987 after a lengthy illness and was deeply missed by Pat for the remainder of his life. Pat passed away at the Grace Hospital after residing at the Deer Lodge Centre for the past 10 months. Thanks are extended for the care and compassion shown to him in both facilities. In keeping with Pat's expressed wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Pat's memory to a charity of their choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 02, 2008