I am a cousin seven years older than Patrick and I lived next door to the Neilson family in Saginaw. My dad, Robert Rutherford and his sister, Phyllis Sr. were great friends.  Dad looked up to her as his protector when he was a kid. He always said if anyone messed with him or his younger sisters at school or on the walk home, they could count on Phyllis and her great left hook to clean the bullies’ clocks. It was only fitting that these two siblings would choose to be neighbors as adults after the War. We cousins were so lucky to have one another as neighbors and friends.

I remember that April day when Patrick was born, the youngest of five brothers. He was big news!  Phyllis Marie had been hoping she would be having a sister, but she soon settled into her role as sister to a baby brother.  My aunt called her youngest boy “Patty”, for the first few years, and she let his hair grow long at a time when little boys generally were given haircuts. To say this child was adored is an understatement. The whole neighborhood loved him. But, Patrick was not about to be treated as  baby and soon he was trucking along behind all the older boys, determined to be one of the big guys.  He wanted to hunt and fish, roam the fields, enjoy the Great Outdoors. By the time the  family moved to Arizona, I was in high school and the age distance between Pat and me did not lend itself to close connections. I don’t remember the last time I saw my cousin, but from the photos on this site, I can see he followed in the footsteps of his older brothers and his dad, my Uncle Stan. Loved that ten gallon hat! Yes, a true Neilson. I am happy he had a family and grandchildren. And yes, gone too soon, too young. To all his loved ones, I send my deep sympathy on your loss. And, to Phyllis,Bob and Terry, I extend love and appreciation for being significant people in our Curtis Road childhood. I loved all my Neilson cousins very much, and I am sad that you have lost the eldest, the youngest and a middle brother. Siblings hold a special place in our lives, and I know how it hurts to lose them. I am Sending love to all of you and to Pat’s family. I don’t know them, but they are loved because they are your nieces and nephews; therefore my family, too. ….from Mary

Pat was always the first to volunteer his help and always had a wild story tell. 

I enjoyed those conversations and I’m pretty sure there was some lies being told but it made the story that much better. 

I appreciated his ability to make me laugh when the day was hard. 

A friend that I will see again one day. Until then , ride that flat track full throttle!