September 28, 1953 - February 13, 2017 Share your Memorial with Family & Friends Patrick Lawrence Burns “Pat” was born in Portland to Robert and Dorothea Burns. He was the younger brother of Mike. Pat attended Peninsula Grade School and graduated from Roosevelt High School, the class of 1971. Growing up, Pat was active in the Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts and enjoyed fishing with his dad. He loved the Oregon coast and his family spent many weekends at their cabin. Pat liked to putter in the yard, go camping and travel. Pat worked with his father and brother for many years at Fort Vancouver Plywood and when it closed, joined Safeway as a warehouseman. He took early retirement in 2012, due to his advanced rheumatoid arthritis. Pat’s genuine smile, warm heart and “unique” sense of humor set him apart from the crowd. He loved a good time that included joking, teasing, practical jokes and kidding around. His deep voice could be heard from afar and he enjoyed using it when reading aloud. Patrick faced his diagnosis of terminal esophageal cancer with dignity, humility, courage and strength. He was determined to go to Palm Springs one last time (a yearly tradition) to attend the annual Pride and the campy drag show “Broadway in Drag”. He did it with walker and oxygen tank in tow, stopping to catch his breath and continuing on. Pat relished a good meal, his favorites being shrimp, lots of bread and butter and homemade spaghetti. He missed that the most, being unable to eat or drink and relying on a feeding tube, but got a kick out of showing it to others, for shock and joke value. When friends would ask him out for lunch (forgetting he was unable to eat) Pat would lift up his shirt and all would laugh. He never gave up the will to live, but his biggest fear was of pain and suffering. His Higher Power gave Pat his wish. He was surrounded by close friends as he passed, while his favorite Diana Ross songs played in the background. Pat’s passing creates a large hole in our lives and will be hugely missed by his AA family. A special thanks Kaiser Permanente Palliative/Hospice Care and Doctor’s Hindahl, Khurma, and Bonura for all your guidance, understanding and care.Patrick Lawrence Burns
A Memorial Celebration of Life, March 03, 2017, 1:30 PM at Laurelhurst Village Chapel, 3060 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97214