Patrick Karn

KARN, Patrick Joseph age 81, of Richmond, passed away on July 2, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital. Pat was born in 1928 to William Joseph and Mary O'Connor Karn in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He left there to join the U.S. Army in 1951 and met Peggy Caravati while serving as a Lieutenant and engineer aboard a ship based near Richmond. He moved here to marry her and remained happily married for 57 years. Pat was preceded in death by his brother, Bill; and sister, Margaret Vandenbusch of Green Bay, Wis. Pat is survived by Peggy; his brother, Jim Karn of Savannah, Ga.; his sons, Patrick Jr., Michael, Jamie, and Tim; his daughter, Julie Chapman; his grandchildren, Mackenzie, Moriah, Sam, Kimber, Ian, Noah, Mason Jr.; and many nieces and, nephews. Pat began his career of entrepreneurship as co-owner of a filling station in Green Bay with his brother, Jim. Once settled in Richmond, he worked briefly with his father-in-law at Caravati Salvage Yard, and then started the Richmond Wrecking Co. and the Dublin House restaurant. He later worked in sales at Tate Lumber Co. and then in 1969 established TMS Millwork Corp., which he grew into a large architectural woodworking business and directed with his sons until his retirement in 1997. In addition to family and business, Pat's passions included GB Packer football, hands-on work restoring sports cars and boats and telling stories. Some of his favorite times were while fishing, sailing and cruising with family and friends on the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay for more than a half century. The Karn family will welcome all visitors at 9 a.m. on Tuesday July 6, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, prior to the 10 a.m. funeral service there. Interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Little Sisters of The Poor, 1503 Michaels Road, Richmond, Va. 23229.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.