Patrick James WEAGRAFF

WEAGRAFF, Patrick James
A Life worth celebrating
Educator - Writer - Mentor - Father
May 27, 1949 - December 9, 2010

December 9, 2010 Patrick James Weagraff passed away at home in Mission Viejo, CA. with family by his side. Patrick James Weagraff was born on May 27, 1940 to Donnabelle O'Brian in Cuba, New York. He started his life with humble beginnings, but possessed the drive and fortitude to make it a life worth celebrating. At a young age, Patrick became a ward of Catholic Charities, when his mother was hospitalized with T.B. Patrick was quickly labeled an incorrigible runaway. His whereabouts, however, could easily be found by the local Sheriff. Patrick could always be found waiting patiently underneath his mother's hospital window, to catch a glimpse of her as she passed by. Patrick and his mother were later taken into the home of his Aunt Cordean and Uncle Milad Simon of Olean, N.Y. Patrick considered them his second family. He grew up in Buffalo, N.Y. and there he achieved his Eagle Scout Award in Troop 38. Patrick graduated from Hutch-Tech H.S in 1958. He served in the USAF Reserve from 1958-1962. In 1959 he married Jane Kinsman and fathered three children. In 1963 he graduated with a BS from SUNY, Buffalo, and in 1964 received a MEd. from the University of Maryland. At the young age of twenty-five, Patrick was personally recruited by Sargent Shriver to the position of Assoc. Director U.S. Peace Corps, Lagos, Nigeria 1965-1968. He was responsible for over 400 volunteers and was the recipient of the Legion of Merit award from the government of Nigeria. One of his most valued accomplishments was the collection, preservation and storage of African Tribal Artifacts. He also managed a series of health/community projects in India, Iran and Columbia funded by the United Nations. Patrick returned back to the U.S. in 1968 with his family. He then graduated from UCLA in 1970 with an EdD and in 1971 with a PhD. From 1971-1993 Patrick continued his career as a state government official. Positions included: Program Manager II, Calif. Dept. of Ed., Associate Commissioner of Education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Chief-Clinical Standards and Treatment Review, Calif. Dept. Mental Health, and in 1993 he retired in the position of Chief-Program Operation Branch, Calif. Dept. of Mental Heath. Patrick championed the chronic and persistently mentally ill. As a manager in state government, he worked to lower barriers and advance women into senior management positions. From 1993-1995, Patrick was Clinical Director of St. Joseph's Behavioral Health Center, Stockton, CA. In 1999 Patrick became founder and Chief Executive Officer of Moroni Children and Family Services, Inc. The corporation provided social, educational, and mental health services. In 1999-2001 Patrick moved to Costa Rica with his wife Sandra and son Nickolas. There, he continued his work with the poor and needy, helping the families, and the orphan/street children of Costa Rica. Patrick's greatest passion was as a teacher and educator. He considered this one of his most cherished and honored roles. He taught over 240 full-courses to Masters and Doctoral students in the Department of Education and Psychology at numerous universities. From 1995-1999 he held the position Associate Professor at National University, Stockton, CA, and from 1993-1999, Professor of Psychology at the Professional School of Psychology, Sacramento, CA. He was rated to be one of the ''top ten'' instructors among 800 facilities, for five consecutive years. At the Professional School of Psychology he served as Chair of Faculty in 1999, Member of Board of Trustees 1998-1999 and Dissertation Chair for students finishing Ph.D./Psy.D. Though he was valued by many, the end of his teaching career was clouded with much circumspect and questioning, as to his integrity. Though he was exonerated of all charges, it came at a great personal loss. In 2006 Patrick was part of the China Teachers Program and taught as a Professor of English at Tianjin University, Tianjin, China, in a good will mission toward the People's Republic of China. Patrick authored nine books, several manuals and over forty published reports and articles. Patrick can be found in Who's Who in the West, 1978-1979 16th Edition, 1982-1983 18th Edition, 1998-1999, 26th Edition and Who's Who in America 1999-2000, the 53rd Edition and Millennium Edition. Patrick moved to Mission Viejo, CA. in 2007, with his wife Sandra and later accompanied by his son Nickolas. Patrick lived a quiet but fulfilling life, until this last year. In January 2010, he was hospitalized for pneumonia and in February 2010, he had a stroke. Patrick was never able to recover. The next seven months were spent in and out of hospitals and skilled nursing homes. The last four months of the year were spent at home under the care of his wife, his son Nickolas and other compassionate health care providers. He is survived by his wife Sandra, children: Kim York, Susan Rye, Patrick Weagraff Jr., Nickolas Turner, and Michael Weagraff; grandchildren: Karissa and Kaili York, and Austin and Ava Weagraff. The family will hold a private celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Healing Room's Ministries of San Clemente, 3551 Camino Mira Costa, Suite S, San Clemente, CA 92672. His charming smile and beautiful blue eyes will be missed by all.