Patrick C. Cumming

Patrick Clarke Cumming, 23 of Princeton, Massachusetts passed away on March 17, 2024. A beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, Patrick's unexpected loss has shattered the hearts and lives of those who treasured this truly amazing young man and soldier.
Patrick was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 16, 2000, to Robert and Melissa Cumming, who loved and cherished him more than any parents could and were shamelessly proud of all he accomplished in his short time on this earth. One of three children, Patrick and his twin brother Jack and older sister Megan grew up together in Princeton, attending Thomas Prince Elementary and Wachusett Regional High Schools. Patrick's childhood was filled with sports, including countless soccer and baseball teams, skiing endlessly at Wachusett Mountain, running track and cross-country, playing tennis, and rock-climbing. He also spent many summers on Martha's Vineyard (or "Grandma's Island", as it was known to the kids), where he enjoyed boating and the beach with his family and friends.
Patrick was an authentic, kindhearted, and giving soul who always put others first and would (literally) do anything for anyone. Whether volunteering in high school as a basketball coach for kids with special needs, delivering Christmas gifts to kids with the Princeton Fire Department, or driving to his grandmother's house 45 minutes away to carry a Christmas tree up the stairs, he was selfless in every way. His kind and gentle soul was especially visible in the way he cared for and adored his 15 year old lab, Bo. From buying a sweater for him in his old age, sleeping on the dog bed with him, sneaking him a steak tip, or lying in the hammock with him, nobody was closer to sweet Bo than Patrick.
While a junior in high school, Patrick began pursuing a career in emergency medical services and obtained his EMT-B certification and began working for the Princeton Fire Department during his senior year. During that same year and acting on a strong desire to serve our country, he enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard as an Infantryman, under split-option enlistment, which sent him to Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Georgia during the summer before his senior year. After graduation from Wachusett where he received the Excellence in Health Partnerships Award, he returned to Fort Benning to complete Advanced Individual Training. In November of 2020, Patrick graduated from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Call/Volunteer Fire Academy, in Stow, Massachusetts where he obtained Firefighter I, II and Operation-Level Responder certifications as part of Class #86. In February of 2021, Patrick returned to Fort Benning, where he successfully completed the Ranger Training Assessment Course and then Army Ranger School, in June of 2021. After Ranger School Graduation, he had the opportunity to attend Army Airborne School, which he successfully graduated from a few weeks later. Patrick received the following military decorations: Army Achievement Medal for Operation Boston Hope, Army Commendation Medal for Operation Capitol Response, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal COVID, Army Service Ribbon, DCNG Presidential Inauguration Support Ribbon, Massachusetts Service Medal, and Massachusetts Emergency Service Ribbon. Patrick received his Ranger Tab, Parachute Badge, and in 2022 was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Patrick earned his associate degree in Fire Science Technology at Mount Wachusett Community College in 2023 and last November, was chosen to attend Special Forces Selection and Assessment, resulting in a selection to attend the Army's Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Liberty this Spring, where he planned to become a medical sergeant in the Special Forces.
Patrick served alongside friends and colleagues on the Princeton Fire Department as firefighter/ EMT for the last five years and worked in the emergency departments at both Marlborough and Leominster hospitals.
Patrick's appetite for adventure took him to new heights when he earned his Class A USPA skydiving license in 2022, and since then completed more than 150 jumps. With a passion for fitness and training, he hiked more mountains than we can count and also completed his first marathon in 2022 on Cape Cod, finishing in just over three hours.
Patrick is survived by his proud parents, Robert and Melissa Cumming, siblings Megan and Jack, grandparents Betsy Cumming, Chuck and Nancy Smith, and Mary Jo Castrale, Karin his Godmother, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and his beloved pup and shadow Bodie. Patrick was preceded in death by his uncle Ryan and aunt Katie.
Rest in peace sweet Patrick.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Patrick on Wednesday, March 27th at 10AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1 Worcester Rd., Princeton, with burial to follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Connor Ln., Princeton. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Patrick's memory to militaryfriends.org.