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Paying Tribute To A Friend and Business Associate
(by Gary Godfrey - December 19, 2011)
Wikipedia defines Obituary as a news article that reports the recent death of a person, typically along with an account of the person's life and information about the upcoming funeral. In large cities and larger newspapers, obituaries are written only for people considered significant. In local newspapers, an obituary may be published for any local resident upon death.
In reality, this definition, sounds a little cold.
A friend and business associate for more than 40 years passed away Sunday, December 11, 2011 at his home. I’m writing this week about: Richard K. "Dick" Patty, age 69 of Bradford, Ohio.
I’ve made a routine trip into Patty’s IGA every week to either pick up their weekly grocery ad or take back a final proof. During those times, Dick and whoever was close by, would talk about everything from village government to grand kids. We’ve more than solved the world’s problem more times than I’d really like to remember. But one thing was always certain, Dick had an opinion -- and he really didn’t care if you agreed with him or not . . .
More than once Dick asked me to generate some activity on a certain subject through my weekly column “Valley Echoes”. And some times that “stirring of the pot” nudge got me into a lot of trouble. Dick would simply smile, and thank me for doing what everyone was thinking anyway.
Every small town has one place in their village where every one congregates for information and tid bits. In Bradford, it was Patty’s IGA, behind the meat counter. Dick loved this venue, but would never admit it to anyone. He also knew his customers, and never really took sides unless he was in a private setting.
Dick Patty loved his family, church, town and school.
He was an active member of each category, and served as president of the Pumpkin Show, Athletic Booster, Bradford Pee Wee, and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church organizations. I could write a story about each of these affiliations -- but Dick wouldn’t approve -- so I’ll simply say this: Dick loved Bradford, and did everything in his power to make it a better place to live and to raise your children.
I will share with you this one story, that happen years ago (pre-Arens Corporation) while I was working at the National Cash Register company in Dayton, Ohio. It was my second year, and the Union decided to go on strike. Because we worked so far away, it would be impossible for any of us to walk the picket lines. We would have to manage on our own -- no picket money. I remember Fred Canan and I asked Dick if there was anything we could do to help pay for the charges we ran up during the strike? Dick scratched his head, and finally said we could clean up the store’s basement. We agreed, and started the next day. I’ll never forget stepping down into the basement. It was like seeing an Antique shop that had never been cleaned up. Fred and I took days, just looking and reading the artifacts we found every day. “Put every thing into piles,” Dick commanded. “I’ll come down every so often and tell you whether to keep it or haul it away.”
Patty’s really didn’t need the basement cleaned. It was just Dick’s way of helping two families get through some rough times during a strike. I never forgot what he did for us, and I try to pass this on every chance I get now.
Preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Corey L. Patty. Dick is survived by his wife of 51 years, Yvonne R. (Huelskamp) Patty; three sons, Dennis Patty of Bradford, Rod & Lisa Patty of Bradford, Randall & Teresa Patty of Bradford; four grandchildren, Alisha Patty, Haley Patty, Andrew Patty, & Legend Patty; brother, Robert Patty of Seattle, Washington; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on December 15, 2011 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Bradford with Father Jim Simons officiating. Interment Miami Memorial Park Cemetery, Covington. The family received friends on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at Stocker-Fraley Funeral Home, Bradford. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”
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