James S. Patrick

Attorney James Shaweker Patrick, 76, of New Philadelphia, died Thursday afternoon, September 23, 2004 in Aultman Hospital following a brief illness. Born in Dover, February 11, 1928, to the late James Estep and Esther Shaweker Patrick, he was the fifth James Patrick of Tuscarawas County Law prominence. His family can trace their roots in Tuscarawas County to James Patrick, a printer, who arrived in 1817 from Belfast, Ireland, and published the county’s first known newspaper, The Tuscarawas Chronicle. All succeeding James Patricks became members of the bar. Jim, better known as “Curly” to his high school friends, graduated as Valedictorian from New Philadelphia High School in 1945. Following graduation, he served in the United States Army until 1947, and then enrolled in Princeton University where he graduated with a degree in economics in 1951. In 1954, he received his law degree from the University of Michigan. For the next fifty years, he practiced law in the Tuscarawas Valley at the Patrick law firm originally started by his grandfather in 1917. Active in the community, Attorney Patrick served as a county prosecutor from 1960 to 1968. He was a member and past president of the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce as well as a member of the Union County Club, where he served as Secretary of the board of directors from 1960 to 1982. An advocate for the art and learning centers in the area, especially the Tuscarawas County Public Library, Jim served on the library’s board of directors for thirty-seven years, and was instrumental in the library’s building campaign. He was also a patron of the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, having served as a guest conductor, and a long-time patron of the Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County. Jim was a member and former Sunday school teacher at the First Presbyterian Church of New Philadelphia. He also followed his father as a board member for the Reeves Bank and later the Huntington National Bank. He took great pride in his heritage, and once served as the Grand Marshall of the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He had numerous athletic interests including a tremendous passion for sports both as an active participant and a spectator. He was an avid tennis player and played in local tournaments. He loved golf and basketball as well. His love for the University of Michigan football team was well known to his friends Â? which of course included a few from Ohio State. Many bets were won and lost over the years!Jim is survived by his loving wife, the former Kay McLaughlin, whom he married December 12, 1959. Together they reared four children, James M. (Elsie) Patrick and grandson Jay, who reside in Darien, CT; Allison J. (George) Adam and granddaughters Jessica, Sara, and Audrey of Andover, MA; Sheila K. (Harry) Snead and grandchildren Essie and Patrick of New Philadelphia; and Kevin S. (Robin) Patrick, and grandsons Ryan and Kyle of Kent, OH. He’ll be sadly missed by his sister, Jane Eiman of Philadelphia, PA; niece Jeannette (Oliver) Boulind and great-nephew Henry, of New York City, NY; as well as many friends, associates, and his beloved corgis, Barcley and Penny. Friends are invited to call Tuesday, September 28, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory in New Philadelphia. The Rev. Michael Seely will lead a memorial service celebrating Jim’s life Wednesday morning, September 29th at 11 at First Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Cremation will follow visitation, and a private family committal service will be held at Evergreen Burial Park where he will be laid to rest alongside his parents. So that his legacy of leadership and dedication to the Tuscarawas County Public Library may continue, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Attorney James Patrick Memorial Fund, in care of the Tuscarawas County Public Library, 121 Fair Avenue NW, New Philadelphia.