PATRICK JOHN VAN OSCH

March 17, 1960 – July 1, 2022

Pat passed away July 1, 2022 at the age of 62.

Those he leaves to cherish his memory are his partner Patti and her son Willis, his children Curtis (Odette), Lisa (Ari), Candace (Jeremy), their mother Nicole; siblings Marinus (Leona), Gerda (Jerry), Martha, William (Darcy), Ben (Tracy), Eddie and Martin (Tracey). Pat was predeceased by his parents Harry and Nellie, and his brother Tim.

Uncle Pat kept a spreadsheet of his many nieces and nephews, and their family’s birthdays. He loved them all. The extended families in Canada and Holland were an important connection for Pat. Being able to take his Mom to Holland one last time warmed his heart.

Pat was raised on the family dairy farm in Lorette. It was there, surrounded by family, that he developed all the skills and strength of character on which we came to rely. He was a tireless worker. Large projects or small, the work got done and always in the most frugal way possible. He was a problem solver and would find a way through a challenge whether it required more duct tape or a complex negotiating strategy. He thought of others first and would always quietly step in to help family, friends, and coworkers with whatever was needed. From his career start in the grain industry as an IT professional to his role as a senior executive leading major business lines, Pat was steadfast. He was a respected leader. He was the one on whom we could always rely.

But the most defining aspect of Pat’s life was the love for his family. His partner and children were the sun, moon and stars to him and they will feel lost without him. Their partners and Patti’s son were loved in equal measure and Pat’s generosity of spirit taught us what it truly means to be kind and compassionate with one another. As you might imagine, being raised with eight other siblings led to all sorts of interesting adventures. There was nothing Pat loved more than a family gathering with stories and discussions going late into the night. All his much-loved brothers and sisters and their partners will sorely miss Pat’s mediation skills.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat’s name to the Kootenay Emergency Response Physicians Association (https://kerpa.org/) would be appreciated. We are grateful to the emergency responders and paddlers who tried so hard to bring Pat back to us.

A service for Pat will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 1:00 pm at the Notre Dame of Lorette Church, 1282 Dawson Road, Lorette, Manitoba, with a reception to follow.