News Brooklyn Boro

Brooklyn Milestones & Memorials: Peter Patterson: Exuberant father, beloved Brooklyn Heights figure, Army vet awarded Bronze Star, bond trader

March 17, 2017 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Peter Patterson surrounded by his sons on Father’s Day. Photo courtesy of Patterson family
Peter Patterson surrounded by his sons on Father’s Day. Photo courtesy of Patterson family
Share this:

Peter Patterson, a former tough Wall Street bond trader and Vietnam veteran awarded the Bronze Star, died on Jan. 23 and was mourned by friends and family at St. Charles Borromeo Church on Sidney Place.

Exuberant and outgoing, Peter was a popular longtime resident of Brooklyn Heights, a community he loved.

A graduate of the Jesuit Brooklyn Preparatory School, Peter was a “Tiger Dad” who supported his three sons constantly as they pursued their passions.

Subscribe to our newsletters

Son Dylan became All American and captain of the Harvard squash team, after years and thousands of hours of junior tournament play at the Heights Casino, most of which Peter watched over,” sometimes hovering with love,” Dylan recalled.

“Once, he took me aside between games of a tough match,” Dylan said, “and he told me with excitement, ‘You should do more of those soft little shots that die in the corner … What are they called?’”

Son Alex, who also attended Harvard and then University of Virginia law school, was one of the first employees of Tough Mudder and helped grow the company to 150 employees. Each year, he participates in a six-mile open water swim and a stand-up paddle race around Manhattan.

Son Peter Jr., who also attended UVA for undergrad and law, is a corporate lawyer.

Peter brought the exuberance of his own youth as an Eagle Scout to set examples for his children. Every year, he delivered turkeys at Thanksgiving to Cobble Hill Nursing Home; at Grace Church, where had access to the kitchen, he actually cooked the turkeys and helped serve to elderly and needy Thanksgiving recipients.

“He had a great heart, a lion heart,” said Dylan, “and even when he was not sure of the name of that squash shot I should be using, his love and enthusiasm made it clear what I needed to do.”

Peter Patterson is survived by his beloved wife Margaret (Peggy) Duffy Patterson and sons Peter Jr., Dylan and Alexander.

 


Leave a Comment

Related Articles

Leave a Comment