Thomas E. Patykewich

Middletown, RI - Ninety-two years ago on May 5, 1918 Thomas E. Patykewich was born in Newport, RI. Tommy to some, Patty to others, always a smile. He was known as Dad, Uncle Pat, Grandfather, Great grandfather, Gramps and affectionately by his son as Grumps. He died on November 15, 2010, recovering from an accident after an operation.He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, devotion to his wife, duty to his country and a strong sense of public service. He will be missed by all for his helping hand and heartfelt concerns. A lifelong Newport resident, he was married for 68 years to Victoria Christensen. He was the father of two children, Andrew and Christina, grandfather to seven, Leslie Patykewich, Erika Robinson, Remington Patykewich, Eric Offenberg, Keith Offenberg, Todd Offenberg Patykewich and Christie Wolfe and he was great-grandfather to thirteen great-grandchildren, River Robinson, Norah Robinson, Nate Offenberg, Tori Offenberg, Harrison Offenberg, Ashley Offenberg, William Offenberg Patykewich, Nikolas Offenberg Patykewich, Madeline Offenberg Patykewich, Lillian Offenberg Patykewich, Joseph Offenberg Patykewich, Caitlin Wolfe and Tyler Wolfe.He served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II and was stationed at Hobbs Air Base in New Mexico as an instructor. He later transferred to the Office of Secret Intelligence OSI and served in the US Air Force Reserves in that capacity for twenty five years. In 1949 he was elected for two terms on the City Council of Newport, RI. In 1950 he joined the Lions Club and he was subsequently appointed Health and Welfare Chairman, a position he held for over a decade. He was the originator of and the driving force behind the formation and the implementation of the of the Lions Clubs Annual Soap Box Derby. He was a member of the Newport Yacht Club, the Preservation Society, the Navy League, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Idle Hour and the Antique Automobile Association of America and was an active participant of the Middletown Bocce Club, up to this last season. He will be affectionately missed by all who knew him. A service will be held in his honor on Saturday, November 20, 2010, at 11:00 am in Holy Cross Church, 1439 West Main Road, Middletown, with a reception for the family afterwards. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be sent to Haitian Relief Fund, a peoples plight for which he had a great concern, or the Potter Animal Shelter, for the welfare of the animals for whom he had a great love. The Potter League for Animals, PO Box 412, Newport, RI. 02840 www.potterleague.org or to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, PO Box 632454, Baltimore, MD 21263-2454 www.clintonbushhaitifund.org.