INACIO o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-05-01 published
MARSDEN,
Patrick
F.
Canadian Sports Hall of Fame Broadcaster, died peacefully surrounded
by his family, on Thursday, April 27th, 2006 at the age of 69 years.
November 8th, 1936 was a day Mary Kathleen
McGOVERN-
MARSDEN would
never forget. This was the day she would give birth to a happy,
healthy, bright-eyed, bouncing baby boy, whom she would name
Patrick, after her beloved father. As the years passed, Patrick
held true the hope that every mother wishes for her child, to
become a good and decent individual in society and someone who
would by their example inspire others. Indeed, Patrick Frank
MARSDEN will be remembered for his extraordinary ability in the
world of broadcasting. He is recognized in the Canadian Sports
Hall of Fame and the Football Reporters of Canada Hall of Fame
for his outstanding contribution to the many sports arenas in
which the sound of his voice, still echos the play by play. He
loved sports, all sports. He played every kind of sport as a
child in his home town of Ottawa, Ontario. He often regaled Friends
and family with great stories, all filled with laughter and fun
about his early years growing up in Woodroffe, or his days at
St. Pat's High School, where he would meet lifelong Friends.
Pat would never hesitate to tell you what a wonderful childhood
he and his brother Bill experienced. Remembered by all who knew
him, to be a straight shooter, he would always, "Tell it like
it was", you always knew where he stood on the issues. He was
never afraid to take the unpopular stand, as a sports broadcast
journalist or as an individual; Pat
MARSDEN never sacrificed
his integrity. Above all else though, "Rosy", "Rolly", "Pinky",
just a few of the nick-names his buddies had for him, Pat will
always be remembered for his incredible, contagious and often
irreverent sense of humor, his bright intellect and sparkling
wit!! Even if you were really angry or upset with him, somehow
that humour would take you over and you couldn't help thinking,
this rosy-cheeked Irishman had indeed kissed the Blarney Stone
and that he was truly funny and very smart!! Humor was his gift
to the world, more than any other facet of his personality or
his countless broadcasting accomplishments. His legacy to his
children and his grandchildren is that wit and amazing sense
of humor; forever genetically linked, meet any of them and you
will instantly recognize that the "Marsden Wit" lives on!! Mary
Kathleen or "Rose", as Pat so affectionately referred to his
mother all her life and his, would be very proud of her boy.
In the final and very short months of his life following his
diagnosis of inoperable cancer, he was an example to all who
knew and loved him. He never lost that unstoppable sense of humor
nor did he for a moment feel sorry for himself or his lot in
life, if anything, he was more concerned for the well being of
those who stopped by for a visit. The outpouring of affection
generated from the many Friends he collected over a lifetime
was heartwarming to his family, as friend after friend appeared
at his hospital door. They came from all over the country and
south of the border just to say hello and tell him what was in
their hearts. He expressed his satisfaction with a life well
lived and a profound joy in the family and Friends that loved
and surrounded him all the days of his life. His only wish was
to be able to watch one more Grey Cup game, "Some Sunday in November",
somehow you have to know he will find a way to do just that.
Pat MARSDEN is survived by his wife
Terryanne, his daughter Taylor
and son Connor. Also survived by, Barbara
MARSDEN and their children,
Patti-lee INACIO,
Michael
MARSDEN, and Ruthmary
DALLMAN; son-in-law,
Carl INACIO; daughter-in-law Antoinette
MARSDEN; cherished "Poppy"
to grandchildren; Christopher and Bradley
MEHLENBACHER;
Matthew
and Patrick
MARSDEN;
Derek and Nicholas
DALLMAN; brother Bill
MARSDEN of Ottawa. Friends may call at the Rosar-Morrison Funeral
Home and Chapel, 467 Sherbourne Street (South of Wellesley) on
Sunday, April 30th from 7 to 9 p.m. and
on Monday, May 1st from
2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Parking adjacent to the funeral home.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Michael's Cathedral (Bond
at Shuter) on Tuesday, May 2nd at 10: 00 a.m. In lieu of flowers,
the family would welcome financial support for the new,"Pat Marsden
Shamrock Club"; providing sports bursaries for kids from families
with limited income: Please forward contributions to: 'Pat Marsden
Shamrock Club': c/o Promotivate International Inc. 175 Bloor
Street, East, North Tower, Suite 1601, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3R8
(please include your complete address with your donation, to
ensure accurate mailing of charitable receipts.) or e-mail: PMshamrockclub@aol.com
Condolences may be left at www.mem.com
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