Patrick Benedetto

March 30, 2025
CHARLOTTE- Patrick Benedetto, 36, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Patrick grew up with a sharp intellect, dry wit, and deep love for his family. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, then pursued both law and business at Louisiana State University. After being selected to the LSU Law Review, he transferred to Vanderbilt Law School, where he completed his J.D.
Patrick began his legal career as a corporate attorney with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Houston and most recently worked for King & Spalding LLP in Charlotte. He was respected by colleagues for his intellect, disarming charm, and his ability to bring both levity and thoughtfulness to any room.
Patrick didn't really tell jokes-he noticed them. The way a person phrased something, the awkward choreography of daily life, the strange little details most people missed-he had a gift for pulling humor out of thin air. Life with him was full of unexpected laughter, not because he tried to be funny, but because he couldn't help seeing the humor hidden in plain sight. It wasn't performative; he just genuinely thought the world was funny, and once you saw it through his eyes, you couldn't help but laugh too.
He was also annoyingly athletic, good at just about everything he tried-surfing, skeet shooting, anything with a board. About a year into dating Carolyn, they took a trip to Lake Norman to go wakeboarding. He popped up on his first try, cruised across the wake, attempted a flip, and wiped out in spectacular fashion. She married him anyway. Ten years later, on a trip to Park City, he hurled himself down black diamonds on his first attempt at skiing. That was his way-fearless, occasionally upside down, and always wide open.
Patrick prepared the coffee every evening and served it to Carolyn in bed every morning-one of many thoughtful rituals that characterized his love. He was at his happiest surrounded by his girls: his wife, Carolyn Croughan Benedetto, and their daughter, Olivia Kate Benedetto. Most recently, he could be seen flying down the neighborhood hills beside Liv-him on a longboard, her on a scooter. Though she was usually cautious, next to her daddy, she would go as fast as she could.
He is also survived by his parents, Marianne and Greg Benedetto; his sister, Caitlin Benedetto; and a wide circle of extended family, friends, and colleagues who knew and loved him.
Patrick died of an accidental overdose after a long and valiant struggle. His family shares this in the hope that greater openness might encourage others to seek support.
A celebration of Patrick's life will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at Norfolk Hall, 2905 Griffith Street, Charlotte, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Greenville Transitions, where a scholarship fund in Patrick's name will support others in their journey toward recovery: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DJV6VJTZMERME
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.