Patrick R. METTES

METTES Patrick R. Patrick Roy Mettes, age 56, of Brooklyn Heights, NY died Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Calvary Hospital in Brooklyn, NY after a valiant and extended battle with cancer. Patrick was born and raised in Toledo, OH to Paul and Virginia Mettes. He attended Darby/Immaculate Conception Elementary School and St. John's Jesuit High School and received a BA from Bowling Green State University's School of Journalism in 1978. He then embarked on a highly successful career in television production on a national scale. Patrick worked at WBGU-TV throughout his academic career at Bowling Green, developing friendships, a point of view and passion for broadcasting that he carried with him through life. Upon graduation, he was hired by WTOL, Channel 11 in Toledo, then moved to WSPD, then WTVG, the NBC affiliate where he directed the "13 Nightly News", with anchor Randy Price, a lifelong friend and the first openly gay anchorman in the U.S. With a highly regarded reputation in the industry, Patrick was recruited to ABC-affiliate KGTV in San Diego, CA where he spent over a decade as producer and director of a wide variety of news, sports and topical programming including "Inside San Diego", "Nightcast" and "10 News" as well as the San Diego marathon, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and many independent projects. While residing in southern California, he began working for ABC in New York, producing segments from cities around the globe for "Good Morning America". He also directed Channel One out of LA, a daily news show for high school students around the country. In 1996 he moved to New York City, directing Catherine Crier for the launch of the Fox News Network, then quickly moved on to become the Supervising Director for VH-1. He took on other projects including, 'Martha Stewart Living', 'This Week' with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts and 'American Morning' on CNN. Patrick became a director for NBC Universal at MSNBC in 2007, just prior to his diagnosis with cancer. Beyond TV, Patrick brought his energy and passion to the founding of North Fork Food, in Southold, NY in 2005 with his wife Lisa, the Big Brothers and Sisters Program and as an Alumni Advisor to the BGSU School of Journalism. One of the greatest joys of his life was an annual reunion with life-long friends from his high school rock band, originally founded to raise money for an injured classmate at St. John's. Throughout his career, Patrick was highly sought-after for his ability to produce great TV. He was known as a perfectionist, and brought tireless energy and talent to his work which earned him six Emmy Awards and two Iris Awards from the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE). Patrick is survived by his loving wife and partner, Lisa Callaghan. Also by his sister, Karen (Ed) Roecker of Monroe, MI; brother, Paul Mettes of Toledo, and his brother-in-law, Kevin Callaghan (Ashley Atkins) of Carrboro, NC. He greatly loved his many nieces and nephews, Mary Louise and Addison Callaghan, Bailey, Blake and Caleb Ethridge, all of Carrboro NC, Kurt and Colleen Roecker, Spencer and Kristy Roecker of Monroe, MI, Andy and Heather Roecker of Dublin, OH, Aron, Julie and Vivian Mettes of Columbus, OH, Eric and Wendy Mettes of Dexter, MI. Two memorial services are planned. On Sunday, June 3, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. in Toledo, a service will be held at St. John's High School with a reception following at 4:00 p.m. at the Toledo Country Club. In New York, the service will be on Thursday, June 7, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. in Guild Hall at Grace Church in Brooklyn Heights with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in his honor, to Alex's Lemonade Stand to aid the fight against childhood cancer. Donations are accepted online at http://www.alexslemonade.org/contribute, or by mail to: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation c/o Cindy Ellis 333 E. Lancaster Ave, #414 Wynnewood, PA 19096 Ph: 610-649-3034