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The Loss of that Boyish Grin: A Tribute to Pat Laurie

11/22/2016

19 Comments

 
Picture
No matter his age, no matter where you saw him or what was happening in his life at the time, there was always a hint of the barefoot boy who grew up on the shores of Lake Kasshabog in the smile on Pat Laurie’s face. It was a little mischievous, that grin of his, but it was always genuine and pure, filled with love. He was the type of guy who made friends effortlessly. That smile of his invited friendship and when the summer throngs of cottagers descended upon the lake, his circle grew. He was the bridge that brought the city-dwellers together with his country friends from school, and together these kids from all walks of life grew up in the clear waters of the lake. 
 
Alongside his two older brothers, Brendan and Jeff, and his little sister, Kim, Pat was boy of the outdoors. Summers were spent at the baseball diamond and on the water and winters were spent on ice. Pat was a gifted athlete. Many in the town of Norwood will remember his natural abilities on the field and on the ice. He skated with the grace and speed of the elite hockey players of the world, and his strength was such that nobody could knock him off the puck. Baseball was the same. Nothing got by him at shortstop and no matter where he was on the field, he could throw the ball like a bullet that was somehow timed to arrive at the bulls-eye just in time for the out. It was like he wanted the runner on base to feel every time as though he might make it before the ball, but they rarely did. 

His heart was never in the pursuit of elite sports, however. He could easily have been a professional, but he only ever played for fun. At 15, he was invited to play for the Lakefield Chiefs Junior C hockey team alongside athletes five years his senior, but he was content to play in Norwood alongside his friends. He didn’t belong anywhere else, in his mind, for alongside his friends was where he found the greatest joy.
 
Sadly, the happy days of his youth turned darker as Pat grew and a grim illness took hold. Through his 20s and into his 30s, Pat struggled with heavy addiction. It was a demon he couldn’t shake and its grip grew ever tighter with time. Perhaps he chased the sunshine of those carefree summer days on the lake – nobody can say for sure – but hearts broke around him as his friends and family watched the man they loved so deeply wrestle against a relentless, deepening tragedy.
 
Their support was always there, but Pat could never absorb it for long. As quickly as things looked bright they turned dark again, but through it all, amid every challenge, that boyish grin shone through. He was always in there, that boy everyone loved, and people latched onto that memory as they tried to help him beat his demon down.
 
On the night of Nov. 17, Pat’s struggle ended when the illness took his life. At 37, he suffered a devastating stroke and that boyish grin now shines only in the memories of so many people who loved him. He’ll be sorely missed.     
 
Friends and family are invited to gather at the Norwood Town Hall on Dec. 3 from 12-2 to celebrate Pat’s life and share memories together. 
19 Comments
Steve Madachy
11/22/2016 04:38:50 pm

Will miss Patrick. Always had a little chat everyday regarding his beloved Leafs. Great guy. Walk by is sort case and saw his blk to touqe he always wore and I can see his face and his amazing smile. Heart goes out to his family.

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Eric
11/22/2016 04:42:31 pm

I agree Steve. Always ready to chat and helped me out a lot when needed.
Will be quite different without him.

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Gail halls
11/22/2016 04:44:35 pm

So, so sorry to hear of Patrick's passing,can't imagine how his family is feeling, I , also have a son who has had addiction. , and is recently cleaned up, that is what I would have prayed for Patrick, I met him in Calgary and immediately was drawn to him, he was so much like my son, and I have prayed for him for sometime, now he is out of the pain that goes along with the disease, hold that in your hearts for now or forever, rest in peace Patrick, my tears are flowing for you💞💞💞💔💔

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Christina
11/22/2016 04:45:20 pm

This makes me sooo sad I remember Pat in grade 5 so long ago... he was always a nice guy. The popular guy that would make everyone feel like part of the team even if they were slow, unskilled or the fat kit.
I've been away from Norwood for close to 25 years and just re kindled some friend ships from high school and actually asked about Pat as I remembered him being such a nice and genuine guy
This makes my heart ache
Depest sympathies to his family and close friends

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Wendy Forsyth
11/22/2016 05:00:11 pm

Beautifully written. Sad, sad, day.

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tracy
11/22/2016 06:20:12 pm

Deepest sympathy. .. so many like Pat caught up in this struggle... rest in peace Pat

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Barb John
11/22/2016 06:31:52 pm

i went back to high school at this age (36) in 1995 / a mature student with a room full of 17 year olds / Pat was always so nice to me, he made math class with Mr. Young very interesting /R.I,P pat gone but not forgotten

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Adam
11/22/2016 06:39:39 pm

RIP Pat... You will be missed by many.
Heart felt prays got out to the Laurie family in this tough time

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Derek Kyryliuk link
11/22/2016 07:17:53 pm

Patty was an awesome teammate and friend growing up. I played with Patty from the day he started in Peewee till we finished up in the all ontarios in Juvy. He always called me Carry cause of my rediculous last name. I heard the horrible news just today. Although I had lost touch with Patty since then, hearing of the news just brought me back all those memories I have of him. The article was a beautiful way to sum him up by Christian. We both went to battle together with Patty on the ice. I remember in Peewee how much of a beast he was. You could not knock him over, and you sure as hell didn't dare block his shot even in peewee. I agree he could have went far early. He just had that power on the ice at a young age. To the Laurie family my family's heart goes out to you guys. What a great person he was in my life growing up. I still watch old videos of those games in hockey with Patty. I'll have to watch with a heavy heart. Too soon Patty. RIP.

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Derek Kyryliuk
11/22/2016 07:41:47 pm

Sorry Cage spelled your name wrong. Thanks for the article on Patty.

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Mikey Small
11/22/2016 11:26:03 pm

Mike,Karen and Family I am so sorry and hurting for what you must be going through.
Pat always had that SMILE and a good word to say or a joke to tell on a day that might have otherwise been a nightmare. I will miss him!!

ILUVYUMAN!!

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Scott
11/23/2016 12:06:46 am

Going to miss chatting with him on Facebook. Gods speed Pat, rest now.

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Debbie potvin
11/23/2016 06:07:30 am

im am so deepened and sadden of this sad day my heart goes out to kim and her family god bless you all

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Judith tompkins
11/23/2016 06:10:39 am

We will miss Pat deeply our thoughts a prayers go to your family I always remember the kids playing volleyball out the back at our place with their friends He will be deeply missed

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Kevin McAvoy
11/23/2016 10:25:35 am

I worked with Pat at the post office.
He was one of the genuine good guys.
He was liked by everyone and he will be sadly missed.
My sincere condolences to his family.

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Keri-lyn Terpstra-Currie
11/23/2016 04:18:44 pm

Beautifully written KP... my heart sank finding out the news... may your demons leave you now.. prayers go out to Karen, Mike, Jeff, Brendan and Kim may your memories give you strength....

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Blair Ford
11/24/2016 08:47:10 am

To the Laurie family I send my deepest condolences. Even tho it's been years the news of your passing has brought back the memories of a million laughs, a thousand triumphs and a solid friendship. I'm at a loss for words. Until we meet again buddy.

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Hilary Dickson
11/25/2016 02:12:06 pm

So sorry for the loss of your darling son and brother. I knew Pat from working at the Post Office, what a sweet and charming fellow. The eulogy I read here could have been written for my brother. The barefoot boy who loved the lake, played hockey, baseball; loved his family and friends and had such a devilish grin. With that dark hollow inside that they struggled against everyday. Pat was the same age as my brother when he died of an overdose 24 years ago. We grieve the loss of the man but that bright shining boy will live forever in the loving hearts he left behind. Slàn go fòill mo chara.

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Barry Lane
11/18/2018 06:36:12 pm

I umpired a good number of ball games in which Pat took part,in Norwood.He once laid a tag on an opposing player ar second base so fast,that I missed it.I thought that the guy slid under the tag.I actually asked him later if he had really tagged the guy and he simply said,"ya" and grinned good naturedly.This was typical Pat.Enjoyed playing and never took himself too seriously.Sincere condolences to the family!

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  • Home
  • Stories of love...
    • In Memory of Jane Vatcher
    • Loss of life and loved ones gone
    • Sonia Nabeta Foundation for Type 1 Diabetes in Uganda
    • The James Fund Stories for Neuroblastoma Fundraising
  • Changing the Culture of Aging
  • Archive
    • Music
    • Stories from Haiti
  • About Kristian
  • Contact