Patrick M. Canfield

Patrick M. Canfield

A Man of Many Talents

Musician*Educator*Business Man*Author

Patrick M. Canfield, age 92 of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 21, 2013.

He was born in New Philadelphia, PA on November 17, 1920. Patrick completed his elementary education in Holy Family School and graduated in 1938 from Blythe Township High School. He graduated from West Chester State Teachers College (Now West Chester University) in February of 1943 and entered the Air Force. He was assigned to the 692 Air Force Band as served 38 thirty-eight months; eighteen of which were served in the European Theater of War in France and Germany.

He received a Master's Degree in music education from Temple University in 1947. Patrick was a very successful musician until the age of 90.

He began his teaching career at the Avon Grove School District, Avondale, PA, and after thirty-three years he retired in 1977 as head of the music department at the Kennett Consolidated School in Kennett Square.

Patrick was a professional trumpet player and he played First trumpet in the New Castle County Concert Band, the Upper Darby John Phillip Sousa Band, Down Beaters Dixieland Band, in the Wilmington and Kennett Symphony Orchestras, Frame's Volunteer Orchestra, Elmer Dill's Swing Band, and the German OOPAH Band. He also played with the Sammy Kaye Orchestra and at the DuPont Hotel Playhouse for the touring Broadway shows. He enjoyed playing piano and conducted a sing-a-long at retirement homes in Florida for fifteen years. For years he played piano and had a sing-a-long at the Ingleside Assisted Living Apartments in Wilmington, DE.

In 1963, he built owned, and directed the operations of the Rosemount Camping Resort in the foothills of the Poconos in the Lewistown Valley, Schuylkill County, PA. "Rosemount Camping Resort" attained the highest rating in the State of Pennsylvania in the leading national camping guides.

He served two terms as State President of the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association, and two terms as the National President of the National Campgrounds Association, which included the United States and Canada. Patrick was president of the Schuylkill County Tourist Promotion Agency for eight years and chairman of the Bicentennial Committee in 1976.

In 1986, he sold the camping resort to his nephew, Michael Canfield and his wife Marigrace.

He enjoyed living in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Wilmington, DE. When he retired, he spent his leisure time playing golf and writing newspaper articles and books. Each winter, from 1987-1997, he attended advanced writing classes at the Indian River Community College in Port St. Lucie, FL.

After five and a half years of research and interviews, he completed his first non-fiction book titled, "Growing Up With Bootleggers, Gamblers, and Pigeons," a true life saga of Schuylkill County, PA. The book was published in 1992, with a second issue in 1993. It has sold over 24,000 copies and is now in its third issue. The book made the best sellers list in the south-eastern section of Pennsylvania. His book is being used at Penn State University as part of the study of Pennsylvania History.

His second book, "White Ebony," was published in 1998. In 2007, he completed "Decision," "Lillian," and "The Counterfeit Lefty." In 2008, he wrote a non-fiction story of his teaching career at Avon Grove and Kennett Square, PA School Districts called, "Teaching , School with a Beat." In 2009, he wrote on of his favorite fiction books, "Cherished Blood." In 2010, the non-fiction story about his days served in WWII, "The Band Played On," was published, and in 2012, "The Chinese Basketball Connection." In 2013, he completed a children's book, "The Adventures of Johnnie and Willie," not yet edited or published; his wife, Rose, will have the book published in 2013.

He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena R.C. Church, American Legion at Kennett Square, Moose Lodge, and a sixty year member of the DuPont Country Club. He volunteered as scorer and shuttle driver for the pros of the LPGA Golf Tournament, since its inception for eighteen years while being played at the DuPont Country Club. Pat was an avid golfer and sports fan; Notre Dame was his special love. He volunteered by delivering Meals on Wheels and entertaining senior citizens. In 2012, Patrick was Grand Marshal at the Veterans Day Parade in Kennett Square, PA.

Pat will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of 64 years, Rose Teoli Canfield; a sister-in-law, Helen Dowling Canfield; and many devoted nieces and nephews. Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick S. Canfield and Mary (Devlin) Canfield; brothers, Drs. John, Thomas, and Robert Canfield; and sister, Mary Frances Pattay.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Centerville Rd. in Wilmington, DE, on Saturday, March 2, at 11:30 am. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday morning, prior to mass, from 10-11:15 am. Entombment will be held privately at a later date.

Please OMIT flowers. The family suggests contributions to St. Catherine of Siena Church, Catherine Fund, 2503 Centerville Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808 or, in an effort to feed the hungry, to the Emanuel Dining Room, 121 N. Jackson St., Wilmington, DE 19805.

Rena Longo, Funeral Director

www.arcarofuneralhome.com

(302)658-9095