Patrick Henry Proulx

Patrick Henry Proulx

September 8, 1947 – September 2, 2024

HELENA - Patrick Henry Proulx passed away peacefully on September 2, 2024, surrounded by his immediate family.

Patrick, simply known as Pat to everyone who called him friend was born September 8, 1947, in Crookston MN, to Celestin and May Belle (Bachand) Proulx. Pat was the fifth of 11 children and grew up doing what most boys in the "north woods" did; hunting, fishing, playing hockey, and working on local farms when he was old enough to operate a combine tractor. Pat enjoyed time spent with his brothers and sisters growing up and was known as a prankster.

Pat was drafted into the United States Army in 1968 and spent two years in service to our nation. He attended basic combat training at Fort Lewis, WA. After basic, he was transferred to Fort Moore (Benning) GA, where he attended radio repairman school. After completing radio repairman school, Pat was shipped off to Germany where he worked in the orderly room and enjoyed good, but warm, German beer and developed a taste for bratwurst and sauerkraut.

After his honorable discharge, he headed back home to Minnesota. His mom asked him what he wanted to eat for his first meal home and he jokingly said "a dozen fried eggs" and sure enough, his mom cooked him a dozen fried eggs. All of which he enjoyed and never asked for a dozen fried eggs again.

Pat attended college where he earned his degree in accounting. After college, Pat headed out west in the mid-70s where he met Barbra Cromwell and started a family in East Helena, Montana. Shane was born on March 5, 1978, and a little brother, John Paul, was born on November 27, 1980. Pat and Barb separated in the mid-90s. Pat managed the Sinclair gas station on Prospect Avenue for more than two decades and made more friends than anyone could count. After retirement he picked up a new profession, full time grampa.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Celestin and May Belle. His big sister and her husband Celeste and Bob Jiminez, his brother-in-law Andy Vanyo, his little sister GiGi Obrigewitsch, sister-in-law Jeanette Proulx, and his littlest, but biggest brother Charlie Proulx.

Pat is survived by his two sons, Shane (Ashlee) and John Paul (Rocky). Grandsons Brayden (Larissa), Liam, Geoff, and Layton. His granddaughters, Emylee and Megan, and his great-grandson, Zyler. Brothers Louis (Cindy), Vince (Marilyn), Roger, Joe (Judy), and Mike Obrigewitsch; sisters, Judy (Rus) Vanyo-Hoffman, Paulette (Sam) Wheeler, Claudette (Sam) Kanani, sister-in-law Marsha Proulx, and more cousins, nieces, and nephews than can be named.

A short memorial service will be held at the Fort Harrison Veterans Cemetery on September 20, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. with a get together at John Paul's house afterwards. A celebration of Pats life will be held summer 2025. The family would like to thank all the dedicated nurses, physicians' assistants, and doctors at St. Peters Hospital that cared for Pat in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the COPD Foundation.