Patrick Aloysius Hoey

Patrick Aloysius Hoey, 53, GWB was his

As an executive manager of tunnels, bridges and terminals for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Patrick Aloysius Hoey routinely oversaw complex improvement projects.

One of his proudest moments during his 31 years with the bistate agency came about a year ago. A new American flag he was instrumental in securing for special occasions was hoisted for the first time from the George Washington Bridge.

"He always considered the bridge his. He treated each facility like it was his house and exhibited consistent concern that they were all kept in great condition," recalled John Drobny of Old Bridge, assistant director of infrastructure management for the Port Authority.

Mr. Hoey's office was located on the 64th floor of One World Trade Center. He took the train to Hoboken and then ferried into New York City every morning accompanied by his youngest son, Michael, 24, of Hoboken, who works at the New York Stock Exchange.

"I talked to him and my mother talked to him (after the first plane hit). He was very calm and was more concerned about getting everybody on his floor out. My father is a hero and saved some people's lives," Michael Hoey said.

Although the consummate engineer, Mr. Hoey, 53, of Middletown was also a family man who loved working around the house.

"He had a heart of gold," said Drobny. "He struck the perfect balance between being a tough taskmaster and being very sensitive to his staff. He celebrated life to the fullest."

Born in Englewood, Mr. Hoey moved to Middletown 24 years ago. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Newark College of Engineering in 1969 and was active in groups including the Vincent T. Lombardi Council of the Knights of Columbus in Leonardo.

Besides his son Michael, Mr. Hoey is survived by Eileen, his wife of 31 years; two other sons, Brian of Elkridge, Md., and Robert T. of Ashburn, Va.; a daughter, Sharon, of Middletown; his mother, Lucille, of Ramsey; two brothers, John of Sea Bright and Timothy of Melrose, Mass.; three sisters, Kathleen Higgins and Eileen Byrne, both of Ramsey, and Theresa Komlo of Leesburg, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.

His father, John V. Hoey Jr., died in 1983.

Visitation will be tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. and tomorrow from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Rd., Middletown. The funeral will start at the funeral home Friday at 10 a.m. and proceed to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church on Church Street in New Monmouth for a 10:45 a.m. service. Burial will follow in the Fair View Cemetery in Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rainbow Foundation, P.O. Box 545, New Monmouth, N.J. 07748.