Thomas A. Patterson

CORTLAND – A private Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Robert Catholic Church for Thomas Patterson, 85, of Cortland, who passed away August 22, 2025, at Cortland Healthcare Center after a short illness. Tom was born June 27, 1940, in Warren, Ohio, the son of the late William and Loretta (McLaughlin) Patterson. He was a graduate of Newton Falls High School (Class of 1958) and served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He received several accommodations for his service, which continued in the Navy Reserves through the Cold War era until his retirement. Following his service to his country, he returned to the Mahoning Valley area and built his career as an electrician with WCI Steel, where he retired after more than 30 years. Tom was a devout Catholic, rarely missing Saturday Mass at St. Robert Church in Cortland, Ohio. Tom married the former Ali Kurpe in 1975 and they enjoyed 42 years of marriage until her passing in 2017. Tom and Ali shared a love for animals, cared for many pets over the years and they were longtime supporters of the Animal Welfare League. Tom loved his horses, dogs, cats and feeding wildlife. Tom and Ali went to the Kentucky Derby each year they could make it and were members of the Kentucky Derby Museum. Their love of horses also gave them a chance to help as volunteers at the Western Reserve Classic Charity Horse Show. Tom enjoyed his remote-control flying club, spending time with close friends Denny and Esther Gartland and going to dinner with Ali and their dear friends Barbara and Mary Busko, Bonnie Carmichael, Jeannie Forepaugh, Barbara Guliano, Shirley Hryronak and Nancy Ruggieri. Those fun times continued even after Ali's passing. Tom is survived by 4 nephews and 1 niece and their families, whom Tom enjoyed spending time with, especially during holidays and family milestone events. Besides his parents and the love of his life, Ali Patterson, Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Kathleen (Bill) Werbeck. Following Tom's wishes, all services were private, and he was laid to rest next to his beloved Ali in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers and in Tom's memory, place your bets, raise an Old Fashioned, and please consider a donation to Ohio AMVETS Charities, 960 Checkrein Ave., Columbus, OH 43229, or the Animal Welfare League, P.O. Box 66, Vienna, Ohio, 44473. Arrangements were entrusted to the Staton-Borowski Funeral Home, 962 North Road NE, Warren, Ohio 44483, 330- 394-6200. Dedicated To Serving Your Loved Ones. This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to www.statonborowskifuneralhome.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas A. Patterson, please visit our floral store.