Patrick Joseph Kane Sr.

Patrick Joseph Kane, Sr., 78 Devoted Catholic, Loving husband, Dad, Grandpop, Brother, Uncle & Friend Patrick Joseph Kane, Sr., 78, of West Grove, formerly of Collingdale for 51 years, passed away April 24, 2013 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania surrounded by family members. Born on March 20, 1935, he was the third child and second son of eight children to the late Ignatius and Catherine (nee McKay) Kane. Patrick grew up in the Grays Ferry section of South Philadelphia where he attended St. Gabriel's grade school and served as an altar boy. He continued his education at Southeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia and entered the Army National Guard, Company "H", 111TH Inf. CT as a Gunner's Assistant in Philadelphia at age 14 using his older brothers' identification card. Patrick was honorably discharged for being underage after 3 years of service from the National Guard in 1951. Patrick later joined the US Marine Corps in 1953 where he served for four years. He worked as an Explosive Operations Foreman and received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal while reaching the rank of Sergeant prior to his honorable discharge and transfer to the Marine Corps Reserve in 1956. Patrick was stationed in various places including Camp Lejeune, NC; Quantico, Virginia; Parris Island, SC; Viaques Island, Puerto Rico (which he most fondly remembered) and the Dominican Republic. In 1977, Patrick ran the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. at the age of 45. Following in his father's and great grandfather's footsteps, Patrick pursued his lifelong career in Plumbing. He received his Master Plumbing license and worked for the Plumber's Union Local 690 from age 16 to 63 when he retired from the Local. During this time, Patrick served many functions, some of which included overseeing the Apprenticeship Program and teaching plumbing code and welding. Patrick also served as the Judge of Elections in Collingdale for many years and taught international plumbing code to inspectors at Drexel University. Post retirement, he went to work for Lower Merion Township as a Plumbing Inspector for four years followed by the City of Philadelphia for two years as a Building Inspector until such time he stopped working due to the progression of his illness at the age of 74. Patrick was a devout Catholic and made pilgrimages to various places including Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico), Fatima (Portugal), Medjugorje (Bosnia), Sabana Grande (Puerto Rico), The Vatican (Italy), The Holy Land (Israel) and most recently Emmittsburg, MD for apparitions of the Blessed Mother. Patrick loved to travel especially to Ireland where his parents were born. He was a people person who freely shared his contagious smile and instilled happiness in others. He was adventurous backpacking through Alaska on his own but most of all, Patrick was devoted to his wife and family. Patrick bought a piece of land in West Grove, PA in 2009 and together with his wife, Helen, saw his lifetime dream of building a new home come true. He and Helen moved in to their new home in April, 2011. Patrick was a very special man who was well loved by everyone who knew him. He will be sorely missed. Survivors: Wife of 53 years, Helen Mary (nee Donnelly); children, Helen Kuroki (Cesar), Patrick Kane, Jr., Michael Kane (Sharon) and Kathleen Tremmel (Lothar); ten grandchildren, Monica, Andrew, Laura, Patrick, Grace, Tara, Andrew, Isabella, Brendan and Riley; sisters, Margie, Cassie, Betty, Mary Ann and brother, Joe and predeceased by his brothers, John and Peter; his many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation/Service: Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation at 5pm, Sunday, at O'Leary Funeral Home, 640 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield and also from 9am - 10am, on Monday, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 500 Woodlawn Ave., Collingdale. Mass of Christian Burial: to follow at 10am. Interment: St. Peter & St. Paul Cemetery at 1600 S. Sproul Rd., Springfield. Contributions: Memorial contributions in memory of Patrick to Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation, 100 Park Ave, Ste 108, Rockville, MD 20850