Patrick Hoel passed away in his sleep on March 31, 2024, Easter Sunday, as a result of a heart attack. While his death was a shock, it was not unexpected, as his health had been failing for the last few years. Still, the desire to pen a remembrance for Patrick escaped me until the scope of his absence could be articulated in a way that would capture his soul and spirit.

“Women are attracted to men with scars” Patrick once said, to his beloved wife Phyllis when she realized he wore that mark of distinction like a badge, instead of a burden!!!The North Canton, Ohio surgeon who mended Pat’s scar, after being hit by a Mack truck the day before Christmas Eve in 1967, was very concerned Patrick would never be able to smile again. Not only did Pat smile, he died with a serene expression on his face that brings comfort to those who loved him so dearly.

Patrick enjoyed a career in aviation with Delta Airlines as a pilot, a mechanic and an instructor. Towards the end of his career he was writing impressive instruction manuals, garnering the respect and admiration of fellow pilots and me, who never knew he had such a brilliant mind, until I read a page he authored. I began to have a respect for him as an accomplished individual apart from being my sibling. Pat was not only my brother, he grew into one of my very best friends.

Pat also had an artistic side. He enjoyed photography, as well as creating many stained glass sun catchers. Pat and Phyllis christened their home in Hudson with a stained glass window transom over the front door depicting two gold fish kissing. The design was a custom creation by Patrick, inspired by the song, “Kiss The Girl” by Samuel E. Wright, and dedicated to his wife, Phyllis, known for her bold and brilliant red hair! When they lived in Georgia for a brief time, Patrick built a stunningly beautiful and memorable water fountain made from a garden urn and colorful lava rocks which lit up at night. In addition, he was a wonderful chef and grill master. Once, after watching “Julie & Julia,” Pat and Phyllis embarked on a year of cooking many recipes from the landmark cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” Sunday dinners were a thing at Pat and Phyllis’s home, with Prime Rib or Beef Ribs from RJ’s being the favorite entree.

I will never be able to enjoy those perfect beef ribs again, but I am so grateful to have witnessed and been a part of the things and experiences he loved like the all-youcan-eat sushi at Akita, a cold glass of Lemonade anywhere, the White Chocolate Mousse from the Elmo Inn and the Tremendous Twelve breakfast at Perkins. Patrick enjoyed Polo men’s cologne and Skoal Apple chewing tobacco, the fragrance combination of which will always be unique to Pat Hoel. I often visited him as he tucked that tobacco inside his lip, sitting on his comfy couch, watching the news with the sound turned down. In addition to the news, Pat was a huge fan of the series “House” and no one could bother him when that was on! Patrick was also an enthusiastic patron and advocate of The Holiday Inn Express on road trips to the San Juan Islands, Key West, Banff, the Gallatin River in Montana, Marco Island and South Padre Island.

While I do not know what Pat’s favorite color was, Orange was a dominant theme in his life. His wife, Phyllis wears a crown of blazing orange and red hair and Pat would give her a dozen orange roses every year on her birthday. At one time Pat and Phyllis owned an enormous, yet deceptively fast, orange tabby named Tigger. Pat gave his beloved nieces and nephews orange-y warm memories by playing Santa on Christmas Eve and providing loads of fireworks on the Fourth of July. At times, he even stepped in as a father figure when needed, making sure his nieces and nephews knew they were loved. Pat had a generous heart, a kind soul and his brotherly love will always will be cherished.

Thank you for giving me this platform to be able to share the love I had for my brother Pat Hoel. Enjoy your time together at the reunion!

Catherine (Hoel) Lange