I met Patrick in Parma, Italy in 1992. I was sitting in the office at the Schlumberger Training Center when a young man walked in and asked me if I was Ghanaian; he had seen the name Kofi on my office door. Patrick and I hit it off from that moment. He was in Italy for two weeks and we spent a lot of time exploring restaurants and bars in Parma. He had an easy, happy let’s do it type demeanor that made it difficult not to like him.
After parting ways in 1992, we reconnected again in 1999, when my family and I moved back to Accra. Patrick was extremely helpful and instrumental in helping us settle. Frankly I don’t know how he did it, but he was always available when I needed help. He would drop by the factory in Tema numerous times a week to see how I was doing and he would connect me with the key persons in the municipalities or the ministries if I needed help. He never hesitated to direct people to me to patronize my business whenever they needed our type of products. It was during these years that our friendship grew and we became more like brothers.
Patrick was amazing, it was easy to see how much he was loved; he always found a way to make time for everyone, not just his friends, but with their families too. He would often stop by the house in Cantonments to check on Cynthia and the kids.
I recall with fond memories the summer of 2017, Patrick invited me to join him and the Rotarians on a cruise to the Caribbean. The vacation was one of the most memorable times we spent together. I recall the first night sitting on the balcony of Patrick’s room with his friends drinking single malt whiskey whilst the warm sea breeze washed over us, chatting for hours until we hit the night club. The day before the end of the trip was my birthday, and Patrick and the Rotarians, managed to secure the night club on the ship for a private function to celebrate my birthday, I was so touched!
In November of 2017, Patrick invited me to accompany Lynda and him to attend Ekow’s wedding in Stellenbosch, near Cape Town. We spent a day exploring Cape Town before driving out to Stellenbosch where we spent a wonderful weekend supporting Ekow and his family for a wonderful wedding.
On numerous occasions when he was in the US, he would visit with us for a few days. He loved Cynthia’s cooking, and many a day when the weather permitted, we would spend hours sitting on the balcony after a good dinner indulging in his favorite pastime; drinking single malt whiskey and smoking Cohiba cigars.
He would always go out of his way to connect people; if it wasn’t just getting us together to have a good time, it was getting us to support charity events and to raise funds for all sorts of meaningful causes. As one of his friends mentioned at a recent zoom memorial service, Patrick was not the type to talk, talk, he just got things done.
Patrick had a deep sense of commitment and was so proud to be a member of the Rotary Club. We often discussed my joining the Club, and he would always invite me to meetings whenever I was in Accra. We would discuss the projects they were working on and it was so impressive to see how they were helping Ghanaians in the rural and underprivileged areas. I was very impressed with the manner in which the Rotarians interacted with each other, I could see the genuine affection and respect for Patrick.
I recall on my last trip to Accra in 2020 attending some very memorable fireside functions at Patrick’s residence, not only enjoying the food and the company, but being amazed at Patrick’s ability to make everyone feel at home; not to mention the graciousness of Lynda being the perfect host. I am truly saddened by the fact that the club has lost such a stalwart member.
Patrick was such a hard worker, and put so much time and effort into his business, I would often call him on Friday nights, only to find out that he was still in the office working on one thing or another, (bad habits we learned from working with Schlumberger). I would say to him, go home Patrick you can work on it tomorrow. He would laugh it off, but I knew he would stay in the office until he completed whatever he was working on. He was also so reliable, I moved back to the states in 2001 and for the past 20 years, I can’t even begin to count the number of times Patrick will step up to assist me anytime I needed help in Ghana, I could always count on Patrick to do whatever he said he was going to do.
Farewell, my brother, Patrick, the gaping hole you have left in our hearts will take a long time to heal. We take refuge in the fact that you are resting peacefully in the bosom of the Good Lord.
To Lynda, Klenam and Sefakor, I cannot begin to fathom the pain you are going through at the sudden loss of your husband and father. Cynthia, Abbie, Ebo and I can only help to comfort you and assist you in any way possible during these difficult times. Take refuge and strength from knowing that Patrick is resting peacefully, looking down on you and wanting you to carry on with your lives and succeed in your endeavors.
“Hedenyui novinye, nadzudzor le nutifafame, miagadogo”.
Patrick till we meet again.
Your brother,
Kofi Quansah