PATRICK F. McCARTAN III

There are people who serve as landmarks in our lives and Pat was one of these. From the time we spent together at Holy Cross to the years that have passed since graduation Pat was someone you could always turn to and find the same old friend. He was an honest sincere and open individual with whom I spent many hours in conversation, for we all know Pat loved to talk. While many of our views were the same it was great fun when we differed. I was looking forward to seeing him at the up...

Dear Mr. and Mrs, McCartan,

It was with profound sorrow that we learned of the death of Patrick McCartan. He was a lovalbe, vivacious and intelligent young man. We recall the many happy occasions we spent with Pat at the Holy Cross Parents Weekends where he was a classmate of our son, Ray. We especially remember a wonderful Easter Sunday Pat spent with us when he was a student at the Maxwell School of Business. Our lives are richer for having known Pat. Our prayers and...

Dear Mr. and Mrs. McCartan and family:

Our son James, a classmate of Patrick's from Holy Cross told us of his sudden and too soon death. We are so very sorry for your loss.

When we came up to Holy Cross for various events, it was always a certainty that we would have a wonderful conversation with Pat. He was a delightful young man and we were certain he would be President one day.
God had other plans for him....surely, Pat is now gloriously happy.

Please...

I met Pat in 1982 when I was a young Crusader Republican, and he our leader. He was the best kind of friend: someone who was there when you needed him. It is very easy to imagine him and William Buckley, new entrants to heaven, making a lot of wonderful humor. Indeed, he was a joyful Christian, a conservative and a gentleman who loved everybody across the spectrum. In all of our hearts, Pat lives.

Pat was the first friend I made at Holy Cross. In fact, I was so excited to have connected with Pat (a fellow Reagonite) at orientation that I put him on the phone during my first call home. I can hear him now at the payphone, greeting my Mom as if he had known her forever ("Well helloooo Mrs. Raimo, how ARE you?!"). I'm glad that Pat and I remained friends during our four years on the Hill together, and I remember his warm and exuberant spirit with great fondness. He is in my prayers.

I was very sorry to learn of Patrick's passing. I was his friend at Holy Cross and in Washington. In remembering him, I can hear the music in his voice and see the smile in his eyes. We will pray for his family and the repose of his soul.

I will always remember Pat fondly as a charismatic, humorous friend in the Holy Cross College Choir. I think of him whenever I reminisce about the good old days. God bless you for having nurtured such a wonderful person in your family. My condolences.

To the McCartan Family,

To my dismay yesterday, the mail brought news of Pat's passing. Immediately vivid memories of him leapt to mind. Although we have not seen one another since leaving Holy Cross a quarter century ago, the lasting impression of his intelligence, charisma, humor, and - most indelibly - basic goodness continue undiminished. Undoubtedly this memory will remain that way for all of us graced to have known him.

He will be in my prayers, as will you all.

Pat McCartan was first and foremost a kind human being. We all knew him for his keen intellect, critical thinking skills, thoughtful analysis and encyclopedic knowledge. Yet his heart was still greater than his mind. He knew his own principles but never shunned those whose principles were different. To Pat everyone was a human being, full of potential and worthy of kindness. On top of this he had a sense of humor. In our first two years at Holy Cross, Pat frequently side-kicked on my...