Patrick Kieran O'Phelan

O'PHELAN Patrick Kieran Nil Desperandum Carborundum Patrick Kieran O'Phelan, age 72, died Wednesday, October 3, 2007, at the Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Patrick began his travels January 16, 1936, in the coastal town of Harwich, England. Though born during a turbulent period of history to the late Dr Kieran and Maureen Phelan, he spoke highly of his childhood years spent on an Irish farm raised by his five uncles during WWII. He attended Downside Preparatory, before continuing his self-education working ranches across the plains of Alberta at the early age of 17. Upon his return to England, Patrick enlisted in the British Army, serving in such far flung locales as Korea, Malaya, Yemen, and Oman where he was in a platoon guarding the Sultan. Patrick settled in Toledo, in 1963, where his affability and strong work ethic led to a successful business career in the truck parts business. On May 10, 1974, he married Sandra Jean Kruse, a Spanish teacher, and together they raised a son, Ian, now an artist living in California. He also had two children, Kieran and Richard, by the late Barbara Went O'Phelan. An armchair traveler with a heavily stamped passport, Patrick followed routes blazed by his favorite authors and historical figures. His journeys favored South America as they recalled the mythic arcadian Irish countryside of his memory. Never one to see a place solely through a car window, Patrick was an avid outdoors man. His travels crossed the globe including Machu Picchu, Patagonia, Easter Island, Tasmania, and Australia. Even in the face of his weakening condition, he planned and made a tour of Antarctica this year. Though something of a man apart, Patrick leaves behind a wide circle of relatives, friends, and acquaintances in the UK and abroad, who held him in high regard. His stories and company will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; son, Kieran (Shenna), Richard (Angie), Ian; grand-children, Kieran, Covan, Francie and Annie; sister, Deirdre O'Connor; business partner, Donald Solomon; niece, Deirdre Chandler; nephew, Matthew O'Connor; colleague, Raylene Hill; neighbor, Charles Perdeau, and members of the Royal Chilean Lodge. A memorial will be held Saturday October 6, 2007 at the Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, 2426 North Reynolds Road, 419-531-4424. Patrick's family will be available to receive callers starting at 10:00 a.m., with a service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Glacier National Park Fund, 540 Wisconsin Avenue, Whitefish, MT 59937 406-862-6110. http://www.glaciernational parkfund.org Patrick's family wishes to thank the staff of the Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their gracious and professional care.