Joseph “Pat” Patterson Gibson

Published 8:20 am Thursday, February 1, 2018

July 23, 1935 – January 27, 2018

After a courageous and optimistic six-year battle with cancer, Pat Gibson passed on peacefully at home on Saturday, January 27, 2018, surrounded by his beloved and loving family.

He was born on July 23, 1935, to Reverend Robert J. and Hope S. Gibson in Washington, D.C., and he grew up in Accokeek, Maryland, and Riverdale, New York. He attended Trinity School in Manhattan and graduated from Trinity Pawling in New York. He received his bachelor’s degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

On a blind date, he met the love of his life, Marie McAvoy, and they married on September 1, 1956. Pat and Marie had five children, Catherine (Kent), Robert (Deidra), Anne (Frank), Stephen (Erin), and David (Anita). Pat is survived by his wife; his children; nine wonderful grandchildren, Niko (Stephanie), Eli, Tyler, Matthias, Joey, Maddie, Kalina, Izzy, and Shailen; and his beloved sister, Mary B. Gibson. He was predeceased by his sister, Julie.

After a career in employee benefits for several major corporations in the New York City metropolitan area, Pat and Marie retired and moved west, settling happily in Bend. While he lived on the East Coast, surf casting on the New Jersey shore and Cape Cod were favorite pastimes for Pat. After resettling in Bend, Pat discovered new ways to commune with nature, including snowshoeing and hiking, which inspired his passion for painting the majestic landscapes of his new home state. A strong tennis player in his youth, Pat took great pleasure in watching the various opens.

Pat was very active in his church congregation, serving in the vestry at both Grace Episcopal Church in Nutley, New Jersey, and at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bend, where he was the senior warden. Pat’s life-long commitment to service blossomed in Bend, where he worked with the Hunger Prevention Coalition, the League of Women Voters, and the Outreach Commission at Trinity Episcopal Church.

He will be remembered by everyone who knew him as the most loving of husbands and fathers, and a true gentleman.

Donations may be made in his memory to The Hunger Prevention Coalition of Central Oregon (hungerpc.org) and The Outreach Commission at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bend. Messages of condolence can be shared at www.caringbridge.org/visit/patgibson.

A service will be held to honor Pat’s memory at Trinity Episcopal Church on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow in Brooks Hall.