Remembering the recently deceased in the Archdiocese of Seattle

Michael Alexander Patterson

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND

Mike Patterson, a member of St. Cecilia Parish, died September 25, of cancer. He was 71.

Born in Spokane, he was an altar boy at St. Paschal Parish, and at 13 he entered the Franciscan seminary in Troutdale, Oregon. He left the seminary to finish high school at Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane.

After graduating from Gonzaga University in 1969, he spent a brief time before law school working for United Parcel Service in New York City where he met his future wife, Emma. He enlisted in the Army, completing six months of active basic training followed by a few years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

He worked his way through law school at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned his J.D. in 1972, then earned a Master of Law at New York University in 1977. He served on the University of Notre Dame admissions committee from 1975 to 1977.

He began his legal career as an attorney in New York City. He and Emma relocated to Mountlake Terrace in 1978, then moved to Bainbridge Island in 1980.

He joined a Seattle-based law firm where he quickly made partner; later, he founded his own law firm, with offices in both Seattle and Portland. Among his many clients, he represented the Archdiocese of Seattle, and he earned many professional honors.

He served on the boards of directors for many Catholic organizations including Legatus International, the Magis Institute for Faith & Reason, the Napa Institute, the Spitzer Center, the Nazareth Guild and the Sacred Story Institute. He also served as founder and president of the Legatus Seattle Chapter, as president of the Serra Club, and as chairman of the Archdiocese of Seattle Catholic Fund.

He was a significant supporter of the Fulcrum Foundation, the Harper Cancer Research Institute at the University of Notre Dame, 3W Medical for Women and Los Cabos Children’s Foundation. He served in several capacities at Gonzaga University, including as chair of the board of trustees.

He was director of the building project to construct St. Cecilia Church and was instrumental in the founding of the parish school.

He also helped found Christ Our Hope Parish in Seattle and the Coleman Foundation at O’Dea High School. He supported Gonzaga Prep and Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue. His contributions were formally recognized in 2013, when he received the National Catholic Education Association’s highest honor, the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. He served on the Vatican Bank reform committee.

He enjoyed hosting parties, traveling, golfing and playing with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Adolphine.

He is survived by his wife, Emma; daughters, Karen, Kristine and Kathleen (Peter Lofgren); sons, Kristian and Kristopher; brother, James; sisters, Mary, Anne and Brenda; and eight grandchildren.

A rosary will be held Friday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Cathedral in Seattle. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 27, at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Cathedral, followed by a reception at the O’Dea High School Gym.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael Patterson Memorial Fund to support colon cancer treatment and research at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, P.O. Box 19023, Seattle, WA 98109-1023. Donations may be made online at https://secure.seattlecca.org/, by mail with checks payable to SCCA with indication that they are in memory of Michael Patterson, or by phone at 206-606-2070 or 877-308-3117.

John Aloysius Tobey

SEATTLE

John Tobey, a lifelong Seattle resident and member of Holy Family Parish, died September 24. He was 90.

He attended Immaculate Conception School, O’Dea High School and Edison Technical School. He then joined the Navy and served from 1945 to 1947.

He worked at Harry’s Radio & Television Service until becoming union representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #46.

He served as an usher and on the school building committee for his parish. He also volunteered for the King County guardian ad litem program. He enjoyed sports, home and yardwork, photography and relaxing.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Alice; son, Paul; and daughters, Gayle, Sandra, Lisa and Jennifer.

A funeral Mass was celebrated October 1 at Holy Family Church.

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