Patrick Rodgers
1954-2021
Patrick Rodgers, 67, of Dawson Settlement moved on to greener
pastures April 24, 2021. He lived his life fearlessly and sometimes
precariously (he did all his own stunts). Pat pushed the limits in
everything he did and cause of death could easily have been by one of
his hobbies: motorcycle, race car, plane, heavy machinery tipping,
working with little regard for his own safety, getting run over by his
wife (this only happened once so not technically a hobby), and other
opportunities that Pat may have chosen to keep to himself…
but after everything, it was a sneaky, rare cancer that got him almost
as suddenly as any of the above.
He was born in 1954, to Fred and Joan and grew up in Upper
Coverdale where he learned farming, blacksmithing and how to make do
with little. He went on to live a life founded on earning everything
he got with hard work.
He married Shelley (MacDonald) in 1976 and they had Mike,
Rachael, and Jesse. Pat and Shelley built a beautiful log home on a
hillside in the Albert County woods where they raised their family and
built their business from the ground up (the home, the family, and the
business). Pat’s enthusiasm for life was contagious, most of
all to his children, who were raised to be ambitious, independent,
strong-willed, moral, to always question, consider, see the humour in
things, learn, get better, and make a positive
difference.
Pat’s demeanour was jolly and humble; his default
attire was work clothes unless he was going to a wedding or a funeral.
He was a brilliant mechanic, a CNR machinist, a welder, a pilot, and a
businessman « with a soul » (always an important distinction
for Pat). He was a man of firm integrity and great humour. He
encouraged all to seek adventure, look for solutions, and think big.
His most character-building businesses included Rodgers Machine Shop,
Riverglade Speedway, and Rodgers Apartment
Rentals.
Pat’s passions included racing, riding his
motorcycle, taking any adventure seekers for flights, innovating,
working smart and working hard at the same time, teasing and
challenging the ones he loved, sharing thoughts and ideas over coffees
and lunches, and piloting grand adventures in his Cessna with his
wife. He learned to fly in his « spare time » and has landed
at and taken off from 118 air strips across the country (and one
frozen lake). He spoke in wisdom found in his favourite westerns and
poker games. Pat leaves an array of cherished friends who brought him
much joy throughout all parts of his life. He was always happy for a
phone call or a visit and made new friends everywhere he
went.
Pat is survived by Shelley, Mike (Sara Wang), Rachael (Mike
Halprin), Jesse (Janet Wilbur), grandchildren: Skyler, Orion, Sage,
Ember, and siblings: Robert and Sandra. His parents, brothers: Glyn
and Terry, many friends, and dogs: Duke, Cookie, and Billy are waiting
for him in greener pastures.
Please drop in at Dawson International Air Strip at the
Rodgers’ Sunday, May 2 from Noon-5 to share memories of
Pat’s adventures.
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19542021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Patrick Rodgers 19542021..
Décès pour la Ville: Riverview, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick