Pat FOWLER

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FOWLER: Pat, May 29, 1955 - August 11,2017. On August 11, 2017 Yellowknife lost a good man. James Patrick (Pat) Fowler passed away suddenly at the young age of 62 from complications due to pancreatic cancer. Pat was the proud parent of five children: Andrea, Kevin, Ian (Lisa), Melaine (Charles) Yellowknife, NT, and Tera (Jon) Brandon, MB. Pat was equally proud of his grandchildren: Keegan, Jozef, Brianna, Gordon, Mackenzie, Liberty and Carter. He affectionately called his home “Grandpa Daycare”. Laiza daughter of George and Shirley (mother of Andrea, Kevin, Ian, Melanie), call Pat “Papa”. Pat loved her like a daughter. Pat leaves behind his five brothers: Lynn (Liz) Yellowknife, NT, Ryan (Julie) Creston, BC, Gene (Lynda) Alexander, MB, Desmond (Giselle) Brandon, MB and Terence of St. Catherines, ON. The brothers all had a very close relationship with Pat. Pat had a very close bond with his nieces and nephews: Eddy (Joanne), Brayden, Shane, Candace (Dominic), Sean (Stacey), Brenda Lea, Travis, Carl (Angela), Christie, Joshua, Andrew, Janis (Ray), Eric (Bera) and Stephanie (Jesse). As well, Pat leaves behind his great nieces and nephews: Miranda, Terence, Alyssa, Kaylee, Logan, Natasha, Katrina, Kayleigh, Shay, Daxon, Jacob, Josh, Sean, David, Ian and Aiden. Pat was predeceased by his mother Beth Fowler (2014) and father Terence Fowler (2000). Pat grew up on a farm north of Rossburn, Manitoba, in the Birdtail Valley. He attended Chemelnyski school and then attended Rossburn Elementary. In the mid-sixties the family moved to Brandon. Pat moved to Yellowknife in the early 70’s to stay with his older brothers Lynn and Ryan and their families. He worked in construction with the city, then with LaFleur Construction. After that he joined the Transport Canada Airport Fire Hall as a fire fighter. During his 37 years of service, he became a Fire Fighter Captain until his retirement in 2016. He was a dedicated employee and was someone you could trust. Pat cared deeply for his fellow workers and seldom had a bad word for anyone. Pat had a special place in the heart for disenfranchised youth. He would always help when he could and he often bought meals for the homeless or gave them rides if needed. Pat loved sports and tried his hand at bowling, flag football, slo-pitch and other sports, but it was broomball that became a life long passion for him. He was an active player for many years starting in 1984. In 1999 Pat took over running the junior broomball program/developing programs and helped them become future broomball players. He was also involved as referee/head referee at all levels (Westerns, National and Worlds), where he won the award for Canadian Sport North participation. Pat was awarded the Sport North Official of the year award and also the Governor General Award as well as many others awards. He was a valuable Assistant Coach to the Yellowknife Ravens Broomball team at the Nationals and Worlds tournaments for many years. He travelled across Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland officiated in Alaska and United States. He was one of Canada’s top officials from broomball. He was the head official in ball hockey and officiated in broomball at all levels. Pat loved the outdoors: fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, snowshoeing and taking long walks. He built his dream cabin on Prosperous Lake. He loved going there with is children, grandchildren, family and friends. He also enjoyed travelling with family to spend time with relatives from British Columbia and Manitoba. He looked forward to the annual family trips to beautiful Little Doctor Lake in the Nahanni. It is without a doubt that his spirit is flying free and high over this beautiful lake and we can hear him whisper “Everything will be fine.” Pat will be sorely missed by his friends and extended family in the Brandon area including honourary family members and friends of many years Lindsay and Vickie Rystephanuk. Pat’s “Celebration of Life” will be held at the St. Pat High School Gymnasium on September 9th, 2017 in Yellowknife, NT at 1:00 P.M. MDT.“Those that touch our lives....stay in our hearts forever.”

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 26, 2017