Michael Patrick

Michael (Mickey) was born in Kelvington, Saskatchewan on September 6, 1940 to Margaret and Carl Patrick. He was the fifth of six children: Larry, Isobel, Pauline, Peter, Michael, and Gene. Like his siblings, he attended Hill Peak, the one-room school near the Patrick farm.

 Upon completing high school, he attended the technical school in Moose Jaw for two winters learning carpentry. Later he became employed with Saskatchewan Highways and worked with the highways for several years before returning to Kelvington in 1968 to begin farming the home quarter. He gradually became established in farming and became involved and interested in community activities. He soon became vice president of Kelvington’s Agricultural Fair committee, and later became the long-serving president. He, and other volunteers, spent countless hours working to improve the fairgrounds to what they are today. He believed the agricultural fair was so important to the town and community in bringing the people together once a year for mini-reunions. Soon school reunions and family reunions were being planned in conjunction with “the fair”. 

 Mickey also became an associate member of the Legion because of his respect for the war veterans who gave so much and required assistance in continuing the Legion’s work. He helped serve Meals-On-Wheels one day a week in the town. He served on the board of the United Church and sang at funerals with the choir. He promoted and joined musical groups that played at the Nursing Home. He took part in any musicals the town produced to fundraise. Mickey played on a musical float in the Fair parade for decades, and he greatly enjoyed the numerous evening jam sessions over the years that were held in the homes of the musicians. In later years, he enjoyed singing with the Dixielanders dance band, and the Pipestone Men’s Choir. He curled for many years and enjoyed watching the local senior hockey games.

 Years ago, he and his brother Peter leased a lot at Round Lake and built a small cabin on it. It was a retreat for them and their friends to enjoy, especially during hunting season, and which they have continued to enjoy ever since. Mickey, being very social and humour loving, began the Sunday morning coffee group. Every Sunday morning for the past twenty-some years, friends drove out to the farm and shared coffee, desserts, and much laughter. Only on rare occasions was a Sunday morning missed. When he was retired, friends would often drop by during the week for a quick visit and a coffee, and of course, there was the coffee group Monday to Saturday “down at the corner”.

 Mickey once said that he felt very fortunate. Fortunate to be farming, which was what he always wanted to do, fortunate to be living in the yard and house where he was raised, and fortunate to be in the community he loved.

 To the many people of the Kelvington community, thank you for your friendships and caring over the years – Michael greatly appreciated you.

Memorial Donations in Michael’s name may be made to: 

Kelvington Legion Branch #19 PO Box 894 

Kelvington, SK S0A 1W0

or

Kelvington United Church PO Box 807 

Kelvington, SK S0A 1W0