It is with deep sorrow, sadness, shock and denial that I write this tribute. How can I be referring to you in the past tense instead of the present tense? I wish I was writing “Patrick is” rather than “Patrick was”.
Patrick your life was full of family inclusivity. You were a family oriented man drawing all of us into your sphere and for that my family and I are forever grateful. You made Lorinda feel like a sister and my children Christa and Chaela feel like your children. Patrick, you went out of your way to visit us in Columbus, Ohio even when it was inconvenient and your business trip was a day’s journey away. You embraced any excuse to invite us to the table of fellowship both in Ghana and in the USA. We will continue this legacy with Lynda, Klenam and Sefakor.
Patrick your life was full of adventure. As children, we learned how to survive the terrain of harvesting fruits off trees and being chased by dogs. As teenagers, I remember when we faced a soldier at gunpoint during the revolution days because we fearlessly but naïvely, asked him questions which were interpreted as being “too known”. I also remember the Accra-Aflao trips in the early 80’s on grandpa’s bus and bluffing the police at the checkpoints and barriers as if we knew what we were about. There are many more such memories that I will cherish forever.
Patrick your life was full of problem solving. You took on all problems and challenges like they were mountains to climb. You climbed to the peak with solutions that helped others immensely. The medals awarded you by those you helped were not just for big problems you solved for them, but for the innumerable small problems you solved behind the scenes: the whispered advice, the tuition paid, the international registration fees paid, the free business consultations, the transportation money and the countless words of encouragement given to many of us. Quietly, patiently and powerfully you affected and changed my life and the lives of hundreds forever.
Patrick now your life is filled with eternity. You accomplished a lot and had a lot more to do, but now sadly you are gone. Your sudden passing leaves a void in me that no one can ever fill, it is a loud and empty absence without that raucous chuckle of yours to fill it. Nye bro, na hede nyuie!
James (Bob)