Patrick S. Gildea, 79, a longtime resident of Reading and Northwood, NH, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer on Sunday evening, October 12. He was the beloved husband of Charlene (Rhodes) Gildea, and they had been married for 46 years.
Born in Newton and raised in Watertown, he was the son of the late P. Sarsfield Gildea, and the late Myrtle E. (Thompson) Paluses. Growing up, Patrick was known to his family and friends as "Sars," in reference to his middle name, Sarsfield. He was a United States Marine Corps Veteran of the Korean War, earning his Honorable Discharge in 1956 at the rank of Sergeant.
Patrick was a graduate of Northeastern University, where he earned a degree in Engineering. He worked as a contract engineer for many local companies, before being hired by the Digital Corporation. He worked for Digital for 13 years, before retiring in 1991.
Following retirement, Patrick took flying lessons. He flew Cessna and Piper Cub airplanes out of Lawrence Municipal Airport, and thoroughly enjoyed flying. He also took up cooking, and at age 70, began to learn to play the piano.
Patrick loved spending time with his family at their second home on Bow Lake in Northwood, New Hampshire. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
In addition to his wife Charlene, Patrick is survived by six sons and daughters, Louis Gildea and his wife Gayle of Douglas, Sharon Drillo and her husband Robert of Scituate, Linda Zanni and her husband Gregory of Reading, Michael Gildea and his wife Brenda of Reading, Stephen Gildea and his Fiancee Jacquelyn Desrochers of Shrewsbury, and Jodie Lenti and her husband Jeffrey of Shrewsbury. He was also the loving "Papa" of twelve grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (Cor. of Woburn St.) in Reading on Thursday, October 16 from 4-8 pm; concluding with Military Honors at 8:00 pm. The funeral and burial will be private at a later date.