Oliver Perry "Pat" Colvin

1931 - 2016

Oliver Perry "Pat" Colvin
August 15, 1931 - August 24, 2016
Resident of Saratoga
A memorial service was held last week to celebrate the life of Oliver Perry "Pat" Colvin Jr. in Honolulu, Hawaii. Pat died peacefully at his home in Saratoga on the evening of August 24th. He was a wonderful man who was devoted to his family, dedicated to his community and adored by his grandchildren. Pat was born on August 15, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana, the fourth of six children of Oliver Perry Colvin and La Dora (Williamson) Colvin. Growing up during the depression in Chicago, Illinois, taught Pat the values of hard work and self-discipline as well as the importance of a good education.
Before earning both his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and his Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana -Champaign, he attended the Chicago Undergraduate Division at Navy Pier. This campus allowed access to affordable education for people like Pat, first generation college students from working families who could commute to school. Always grateful for the opportunities this school provided, now the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Pat donated generously, establishing The Colvin Scholar and The Peggy Colvin Baseball Center for Excellence.
In 1955 Pat married the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy) Smith. This summer they celebrated 61 years of a very loving and devoted marriage. Pat served two years in the army at Newport News, Virginia, where their first child Lisa (Howard) Schmidt, was born. They moved back to Chicago where Pat worked in the finance departments of the Illinois Gas Company, Motorola and Playboy Enterprises, and the couple welcomed three more children, Alison (John) Aiassa, Oliver Perry Colvin III (Srila), and Charles Colvin (Makiko). In 1968 Pat and Peggy moved their family to California. Pat worked for many years as the CFO of Golden Neo-Life Enterprises.
Pat liked to play bridge and loved to tell and hear a good joke. A long time member of La Rinconada and O'ahu country clubs, he enjoyed playing golf and participated in several pro-am tournaments. An ardent Warriors fan, Pat had courtside seats for many years, often "helping" the referees with their calls.
Pat learned early on the value of a good education and encouraged and supported his children and grandchildren to study hard and to pursue higher educations. He was particularly proud of his five granddaughters, Alexandra and Francesca Aiassa, and Sara, Emily and Caitlin Colvin. Pat was an enthusiastic supporter of all of their athletic and artistic endeavors, and could often be found cheering on the sidelines of their various sporting events or in the audience of one of their many theater productions. He was a truly remarkable father and grandfather. He ended every conversation with his children and grandchildren with the words, "I love you, I love you, I love you!"
In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Pat is survived by his youngest brother Rex, and many nieces and nephews whom he greatly cherished. The family would like to thank his amazing caregivers, Victor, José and Jim. Pat was an incredible man and will be missed by all of us who knew and loved him. We feel so very grateful to have had him in our lives.


View the online memorial for Oliver Perry "Pat"  Colvin