Adolf "Pat" Paterson

December 18, 1920 -May 14, 2020

Adolf "Pat" Paterson, 99, of Leisure Knolls, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2020, at The Chelsea of Toms River. He had resided in Manchester, N.J., since 1988.

Born in Elizabeth, N.J., on Dec. 18, 1920, he spent most of his life in Union County, N.J. The third child of Charles and Ingeborg Paterson, he grew up in Kenilworth, N.J., before enlisting in the war effort in January 1942 in the US Army Air Corps, then transferring and earning an officer's commission (2LT) and joining as an infantry paratrooper with the 101st "Screaming Eagles" Airborne Division serving in Europe through the end of World War II.

After coming home, he married the love of his life, the former Mary Jane Andy, who he spent 65 glorious years raising their seven children. Pat took over his father's contracting business, "Charles Paterson & Son Flooring," which he successfully and proudly operated until 1981, when he retired.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Jane, his brother and two sisters, and his daughter Karen. He is survived by his six children: Andrea Suhaka, Bruce Paterson and his wife Kris, Nancy Paterson and her husband Chris Zingler, Janet Paterson, Judith Paterson, and Charles Paterson and his wife Jean; and his five grandchildren, Karen Suhaka, and Jonathan, Nancy, Ryan and Kathy Paterson.

He loved bowling and square dancing as well as watching various sports on TV. He was deeply involved in his community and was a member of the Construction Committee for building the new Kenilworth Methodist Church and as one of the founders of the Kenilworth Lions Club as well as supporting the local Cub and Boy Scouts. He was a member of Post 1000 in New Jersey.

He was always an ever-present role model, mentor and hero to many. His strong work ethic and business savvy helped him succeed in providing a beautiful home and wondrous life to his wife and family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.