Patrick "Pat" Barnett-Mulligan

Barnett-Mulligan, Patrick "Pat" CHATHAM Patrick Barnett-Mulligan passed away on March 28, 2018. He was a gently mischievous connoisseur of the absurd, a gifted and innovative guitarist, and a beloved resident of the town he called "Little Chatham by the Sea." He was a devoted husband and father and a generous and thoughtful friend. Interested in everything and everyone who crossed his path, Pat approached the world with intellectual curiosity, empathy, and a brilliant and unique sense of humor that made everyone around him feel at ease. His open spirit, good cheer, and wide-ranging passions inspired many devoted friendships and welcomed all into the adventure of making the world a better, funnier, and more musical place. Born on Long Island to Aileen Colvin Mulligan and William Henry Mulligan on March 17, 1958, Pat was the youngest of four siblings. His brothers, William Jr. and John and his sister Katharine taught him to read when he was three and lovingly helped to raise the baby brother their mother referred to all his life as "Sweetheart." Pat spent his early years in East Williston where he made lifelong friends, began playing the guitar, and learned the fine art of practical joking while working at the Renaissance Country Club. He zoomed through Williams College in three years, but not before finding the love of his life, Wendy, forging unbreakable bonds with classmates, and making an indelible impression on the music scene there. While his circle of friends widened throughout the years, his early friendships continued to deepen, connected through music and a freedom of thought that led to many creative and hilarious shared endeavors including the writing of an unpublished but oft-quoted Harlequin Romance novel co-authored by dear friends Bert, Leigh, Peter, Sax, and Carolyn. After college, Pat earned a degree from Albany Law School and would spend over 30 years working for the State of New York before returning to the school as its pro bono coordinator. In 1983, he and Wendy married, moved to Chatham, and began their family. He made a conscious decision to devote himself to becoming an "extraordinary father" to his children, Lydia, Owen and Fiona and all who knew him agreed that he surpassed that lofty goal. As their roots in Chatham grew, so did Pat's role in the community. He started an Open Mic night at Peint o Gwrw pub and ran it for ten years, spending countless hours encouraging and celebrating the voices of local musicians. When Pat's "Brain Adventure" began in early 2016, he approached it and what would become the last two years of his life with incredible grace, generosity and calm. He began introducing Wendy as his "Tireless Caretaker Bride" and she embodied that title with unwavering patience and devotion, working around the clock to ensure he had the best care imaginable. Pat left for his next adventure on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. He was at home surrounded by his loving family, dear friends, and his lifelong bass player. Donations in Pat's honor may be made to Actors' Shakespeare Project, 191 Highland Ave., Suite 2B, Somerville, MA, 02143 or actorsshakespeareproject.org and Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble St., Lenox, MA, 01240 or shakespeare.org