Pat was my closest sibling in age, being two years older, and my closest friend and playmate for many years. We did everything together - especially get in trouble.

I remember when I was 5 or 6, he got hit full in the face with a baseball bat during a friendly neighborhood game. I had never seen so much blood before. He spent several days in the hospital, and I was inconsolable.

 We played war, cowboys, kick the can, kickball, baseball, and even " house" once in a while, though never with dolls. We chased lightening bugs and threw snowballs.And, until we got caught, we used to launch armymen with mouse traps and drop marbles from the bedroom window so we could watch them roll down the roof and into the gutters.

When we were older, he "prescreened" my boyfriends.  I didn't appreciate that, but somehow  he was always right about their character.

Pat was also the baker in the family.  Nobody made a cake like him - always from scratch.

I will miss you, brother.  Say "Hi" to Mom and Dad

Linda