Patrick C. Tolli

Pat Tolli wasn´t just someone I worked with -
he was one of the men who helped build me.

He didn´t preach. He didn´t posture.
He simply shared what he had -
knowledge, patience, and often, a handful of components wrapped in generosity.

I was young, eager, and hungry to learn,
and Pat met that energy with quiet encouragement.
He gave me parts to take home,
and in doing so, he gave me permission to explore, to try, to fail, and to build.

He worked under Tom - the man who handed me the key to the shop -
but Pat handed me something even deeper:
the belief that I could do this. That I belonged in this space.
That learning electronics wasn´t just about circuits -
it was about legacy, mentorship, and passing the torch.

He had his vices, sure - we all do.
But he gave more than he took.
And his impact on my life is etched into every project I take on,
every system I design,
and every younger engineer I help today.

God bless you, Pat.
You helped make me who I am.
And I will carry your memory forward - in work, in spirit, and in gratitude.