Patrick John Sawyer

July 26, 2008 11:51 pm

— SOUTH BEND — Patrick John Sawyer, 40, South Bend, and formerly of Kokomo, died in the early hours of Monday, July 21, 2008, from injuries he sustained in a hit-and-run accident.
He has been an endearing uncle and father-figure to nieces and nephews, a respected brother, a loyal son, a trusted friend, an involved and extraordinary father to his four children, and a dedicated and loving best friend and husband to his wife, Nancy. He was a well-known kayak competitor and promoter of the sport. He competed in the U.S. National Marathon Kayak trials twice. He raced in two of the three “triple crown events” of marathon kayak racing, including a 70-mile event and a 120-mile race over three days. In 2002 Patrick drew the region’s attention to river ecology by embarking on a solo journey, River Quest, along the full length of the St. Joseph River.
Patrick was a founder of Paddlefest, an annual kayaking and canoeing festival centered on the St. Joseph River that draws paddlers from around the country. A testament to his nurturing character, he shared his love of the sport by introducing it to others and by investing his time and talent in patiently instructing and cheering on others - unique for a competitor at his level.
Patrick was born in Milwaukee and raised in Kokomo, the youngest of 11 children. A 1986 graduate of Kokomo High School, he served honorably in the Army and was stationed in Korea. Before entering nursing school, he was a master craftsman — as a mason, his work in that craft stands at the University of Notre Dame and other sites around the area. He is beloved by so many and will be unspeakably missed by his friends in the nursing school, the paddling community, swimming community, home-school community, and especially by his family who deeply loves him and is grateful for the gift he has been to them.
Patrick is survived by his wife, Nancy (Fink) Sawyer; and his four children, Daniel, Joseph, Thomas and Laura, all of South Bend. Also surviving are his parents, Robert G. and Patricia J. Sawyer, Kokomo; and parents-in-law, James and Marjorie Fink, South Bend; Patrick’s seven brothers, Robert (Debbie) Sawyer, Brighton, Mich., Timothy (Julie) Sawyer, LaCrosse, Wisc., Mark Sawyer, Iowa, Tom (Lisa) Sawyer, Wabash, Andrew (Tina) Sawyer, Kokomo, Dennis Sawyer, Lebanon, and Daniel Sawyer, Milwaukee, Wisc.; Patrick’s three sisters, Irene (Rick) Sawyer, Germantown, Wis., Mary (Mike) Werner, Peru, Theresa (Barry) Kratzer, Kokomo; Nancy’s four brothers, Mike (Amy) Fink, Mesa, Ariz., Joseph (Sarah) Fink, Valparaiso, Billy Fink, Elkhart, and Ronald Michael (Monica) Fink, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Nancy’s three sisters, Mary (Fink) Meck, South Bend, Annie (Jeff) Stahl, South Bend, and Julie (Chris) Hall, South Bend; and 41 of Pat’s nieces and nephews; and 10 great-nieces and nephews. Patrick was preceded in death by his great nephew and godchild, Dante Sawyer.
Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 N. Ironwood, South Bend (between Ind. 23 and Douglas Roads). Visitation will be 1 to 5 p.m. today in Hickey Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend (between Ironwood and Grape Roads) and Monday from 10 a.m. until services in the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for Patrick’s children to the “Benefit for Patrick Sawyer” at any Key Bank location. Donations will also be accepted at Hickey Funeral Home or at Little Flower Church. We invite people to write their words of remembrance for Patrick to be shared at a reception following Mass at Little Flower's Parish Hall. Online comments are also encouraged at www.patrick.sawyers
web.com.

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