In 1940, at the age of thirty, he entered the United States Army and served throughout the Second World War in England, France, Belgium, and Germany. One of his favorite pastimes was regaling his confreres with stories of his war experiences. After his discharge, he attended the General Motors Institute where he learned welding and became employed at the Flint, Michigan plant.

In his youth he had considered becoming a religious brother. He responded to this calling at the age of 51 after caring for his elderly mother from the time he left the army. A week before his death, Br Patrick remarked that the last fifteen years had been the happiest of his life.

He made his confreres happy, too. Even during the periods following his two operations for cancer, he was able to retain his wit and interest in community life. He worked here as a mechanic, laundryman, C.C.D. teacher and until the last several weeks, he continued to assist in the kitchen.

He is remembered as a man with yarns to tell. . . and he told them well. He had an earthy sense of humor and ready quips. His brothers in Christ did not have to counsel him about his approaching death. He talked about it cheerfully. Although there were times when they might have suspected Irish blarney, this was dispelled by their knowledge that Br Paddy was genuine in everything he did and believed.