It is with heavy hearts that the family members of Patrick Douglas Pasternak announce his passing on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at home with his dear wife by his side, his beloved son asleep in the next room, and his much loved sister checking on him throughout the night.

Patrick was born in Port Arthur on August 16, 1953, the third son of Patricia and Ernest Pasternak. He attended Oliver Road and Balsam Street Schools, Hillcrest High School, Scollard Hall, and earned both a B.Sc. Chemistry Degree and a B.Eng. Degree in Chemical Engineering at Lakehead University. He was a member of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers.

Patrick enjoyed a lifelong interest in learning and tinkering with anything electrical, from car keys as a child, cars as a teenager, to work projects and home projects as an adult. His testers, tools and green overalls were always nearby. Patrick worked many summers at TransCanada Pipelines, starting in 1970 during high school through university; this is where he met his lifelong friend Ingimar Anderson. This work experience led to working on cathodic protection and construction jobs from spring to autumn letting him return to university for the winter terms until he finally fulfilled his goal, to understand all things electrical!

Patrick worked as an Electrical Engineer overseeing construction in Saudi Arabia from 1982 to 1984. Then from 1985 through 1986, accompanied by his new wife Adrienne, he was employed as an Electrical Engineer in Houston for Gulf Interstate Engineering. After this he worked for Hunt Oil from 1987 to 1995 as a Pipeline Superintendent, travelling monthly home to Thunder Bay to be with his beloved family which now included his much loved son, Michael. Near the end of his career in Yemen, Adrienne and Michael joined him there twice for a three month stay. Reluctantly he had to quit work due to illness.

Patrick is survived by his wife Adrienne, son Michael, his mother Patricia, his five brothers Jim Pasternak (Carolyn), Bill Pasternak, Randy Pasternak (Teresa), David Pasternak, Ernie Pasternak (Carmela), and one sister Sally Pasternak. He is also survived by his nephews Chris, Jason, Colton, Steven, his nieces Camie, Kaleigh, Kimberly, Meghan, Kelsy, Sierra, Mandy, his sisters-in-law Karen Beaujot (Fred), Andrea Pietilainen (Matti), his brother-in-law Kalvin Korpela (Mary), and many cousins in the Hasell and Murray families.

Patrick was predeceased by his father Ernest Pasternak, his grandmother Anne Pasternak Valley, mother-in-law Irma Korpela, father-in-law Sulo Korpela, and aunts Evelyn Murray, Marjorie Hasell, and Bertha Warness.

A true sign of character is how one handles adversity; Patrick had a tenacity, courage and strength that served him well through 20 years of multiple sclerosis. He had the love of his family and they his in return. His interests that spanned a lifetime included aviation (he learned to fly a small plane), solar energy and all energies, cars, the stock market, and new interests along the way like music on the YouTube, favorite t.v. shows, scooter rides, and swimming. There were many road trips with his brothers to Texas before he married to visit with his brother Jim. Even one where he drove down with a green coloured cougar and returned with an orange coloured car. There was a deal on a paint job too good to pass up. Prior to marriage Adrienne and he met in England and drove to Scotland and back to London which was an exciting romantic time. In his youth he went to British Columbia to visit relations. That is where after a long day of picking and eating cherries, he learned not to eat too many. The family camp at Mackenzie Beach and the Hagi Camp at Shebandowan Lake provided lifelong memories of great times and family love. Patrick always had a genuine interest in what others were doing, especially his son Michael. He loved the beautiful home and garden that his beloved wife tended, as well as his many family pets. He enjoyed all animals, although he didn't really like camels.

The family would like to thank the many health care professionals that have been involved in Patrick's care at home and at hospital over the past 20 years! A special thank you to those who played a part in Patrick's final journey! Thank you for making his wish to come true to spend his last days at home with family!

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 in the Sargent Family Reception Centre, 21 N. Court Street from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with words of tribute beginning at 2:30 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

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