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Patrick Houston Obituary
AGE: 67 • Lincroft
Patrick C. Houston, 67, of Lincroft, passed away on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Patrick, the son of Elizabeth and James Houston, was born and raised in Elizabeth and moved to Lincroft in 1975, where he resided for 37 years. Patrick, a highly respected educator and basketball coach for Middletown School District for 38 years, will be sorely missed by his family, friends, former players, and the entire Middletown Community.
Patrick graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Elizabeth, and attended the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico, where he was a member the basketball team. He later obtained two Master Degrees in Education and Administration from Montclair State University and started his long career as a passionate educator and basketball coach at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington. While employed at Middletown, Patrick served as a Social Studies Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Assistant Principal, Principal and Acting Superintendent of Schools. Patrick was the first Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Middletown High School South and coached Boys Varsity Basketball in Middletown from 1974 to 1985. His 1979 Middletown South Team won the school's first CJ Group IV State Championship with a record of 28-1 and ended with Patrick being named "Coach of the Year" in the Asbury Park Press. In 2010, the gymnasium at the Thompson Middle School in Middletown where Patrick served as Principal for over 20 years, was named the Patrick C. Houston Gymnasium, honoring his many years of dedicated service to the school and the Middletown District. Patrick was also very active in St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church in Lincroft, where he was a parishoner for 37 years and served as a lector.
Patrick is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Sheila; his three loving daughters, Tara Nicholas, Jennifer Benvenuto and Megan Rose; his seven loving grandchildren, Haley and Houston Nicholas, Fiona and Houston Benvenuto, Tyler, Kelsey and Shane Rose; his four loving siblings, Grace Woodrow, James Houston, Joseph Houston and Kathleen Santa Maria; and his three loving sons-in-law, Seth Rose, James Benenuto and Geoffrey Nicholas. Patrick is predeceased by his parents, Elizabeth and James Houston, and his sister, MaryAnn Zupkus.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 and Friday, Dec. 14 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Funeral Mass 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, Lincroft. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Patrick C. Houston Scholarship Fund and mailed to Middletown Board of Education, P.O. Box 4170, Middletown, NJ 07748, Attention: Amy Gallagher. Please visit Patrick's website at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Patrick Houston
John Halpin
December 6, 2019
A super nice guy who is always missed. May God take care of this great man and hold him in his hands forever.
Jennifer Bradshaw
January 1, 2013
Pat was a very respectable educator and a good man. I am glad to have known him and will miss him.
Robert Generelli
December 16, 2012
To a great man who had a tremendous impact on many of us middletown kids. Thanks for being such a wonderful coach, friend and mentor. You will be remembered for many years to come.
Shaw Ramsey
December 16, 2012
Our deepest sympathies to you and your Family.
Frank Fusiak
December 15, 2012
My deepest sympathies and condolences to Shiela and the entire Houston family. Always a warm smile and good conversation. A great neighbor that will be truly missed.
Elizabeth LoMonaco
December 14, 2012
My deepest sympathies to the Houston Family. My children are both Thompson Alumni who were lucky enough to be students there during Mr. Houston's career. He truly is a legend. A passionate educator, a fierce advocate for the kids and a remarkable leader. He immediately earned my respect as principal at Thompson but over the years he demonstrated what an incredibly kind and compassionate man he truly was. May all of the good he did here on Earth be returned to him tenfold in Heaven and may his soul rest in peace.
Kevin & Jennifer Sprake
December 13, 2012
We are thankful that our lives were touched by Mr Houston. Our heartfelt prayers are with he and his loving family.
Donald Gilson
December 13, 2012
Mr. Houston is the reason I went into teaching and the reason I choose Social Studies. I remember when I was in his Social Studies class at Queen of Peace he said if I write it on the board then it is important. I have never forgotton that. He was a great coach and better person. My thought and prayers go out to his family.
December 12, 2012
To the Houston family, we pray for your strength at this sad time. I enjoyed talking with Mr. Houston when he came to the bank, he was a sweet man, and will be missed by everyone that knew him. Sheila, you and your family will be in my prayers.
Fran August
Karen Vaccarella
December 12, 2012
I had the pleasure to work with Mr. Houston for over 13 years! What a truly great man and amazing work he did for Thompson. He will be missed. My prayers go out to his family during this sad time. RIP
Theresa Marciani
December 12, 2012
I had the pleasure to work with Mr.Houston for over 23 years. He made TMS the school it is today. Rest in peace and my condolences to his family. He gave me a hug recently right before Thanksgiving :)
Brad Harris
December 12, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with the Houston family during this time of extreme sadness. Mr. Houston touched the hearts of many and will be sorely missed.
December 12, 2012
Never had the pleasure to meet Mr. Houston but did have his daughter Megan as a high school teacher. If he was able to raise a daughter with such passion for teaching, and helping others, I am sure he was a great man. Mrs. Houston-Rose has continued to back me in everything I do even after graduating. I am eternally grateful to the Houston family for having such a large positive outreach to the community. May you all stand strong, and may Mr. Houston Rest In Paradise.
John Halpin
December 12, 2012
We are so sad to hear of Pat's passing. He truely was a fantastic person and always fun to talk and be with. God bless him and his family and He will always be in our prayers.
December 12, 2012
From the days at Tradewinds to school days at Thompson,Mr. Houston was always a well respected man. Our prayers are with his family.
The Niro's
December 12, 2012
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm so grateful to have had Mr. Houston in my life. I'm praying for all of you during this time and always. Love, Amy Staudt
Scott & Marybeth Hershkowitz
December 12, 2012
We had the pleasure of knowing Pat from the beachclub over the last few years. He was a fine man who always had a smile on his face and made time to share a story. Our condolences to the entire family, he will be greatly missed.
December 12, 2012
To an administrator who respected the skills and knowledge of his staff, allowing us to teach as we were trained and acknowledging both teacher and student achievements. My heartfelt sympathies to Sheila and Family.
Nancy Law
Meredith, NH
December 12, 2012
Mr. Houston was influential in my choice of college and choosing a career in education. I would enjoy meeting him at the shore from time to time over the years. Over the decades, he has left a lasting impression on thousands of students and athletes.
Joe McBride, QPHS 1970, Vice Principal Cedar Grove HS
Pharmacy Staff
December 12, 2012
Mr. Houston was a kind, compassionate person. He was one of those customers that you looked forward to seeing when they came in. He was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed.
Pharmacy Staff
December 12, 2012
Megan,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. From the stories you told in Ireland (all those years ago) - he was an amazing dad and man.
-Andy Hallock
JULIE MILLER
December 12, 2012
THERE ARE NO WORDS. MY HEART IS BROKEN..
Denise Moyer
December 12, 2012
Pat was truly a legend. May his memory live on in his grandchildren's lives. Rest in peace.
Katie Clarke
December 12, 2012
Great man, great educator, great coach. I am thankful that I had to opportunity to know Mr. Houston.
Katie (DiSciullo) Clarke
December 12, 2012
Truly Pat will be remembered as a kind, compassionate loving man. A smile comes to your face when you think of him. He was surrounded with his loving wife,, Shiela, and his beautiful family and he had the greatest gift of all LOVE.
He will be truly missed. Our sincerest condolences for the family.
Phillis and Richard Chrampanis
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