Patrick Lawrence Grattan

Born Dec. 26, 1923, in the small Pennsylvania town of Dunlo, Patrick, better known as Pat, was the oldest of eight children of Lawrence and Frances Grattan. A lover of all sports for his entire life, Pat played football, basketball and baseball while in high school. He continued participating in sports when he joined the US Navy upon his graduation from high school in 1943. He enjoyed a 23-year career in the Navy and retired in 1965 as an aviation machinist mate first class.

It was during his Naval career that he met the love of his life. While stationed in New Orleans, his cousin—who was a member of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES)—introduced him to Joan Clymer. Pat was 20 and Joan was 15. They enjoyed a proper courtship, with Joan’s mother as a chaperone on all their dates. Their dates were simple, taking the streetcar to watch a movie.

Two years later, with special permission from Joan’s family, they were married. Joan remained in New Orleans, however, as she had a full scholarship to attend Tulane University. Upon graduation, Joan joined Pat to his many duty stations, including Corpus Christi, TX and Honolulu, HI, before they settled in Chula Vista in 1956. Together, they had three children, Patrick, Jr., Juliann and Barbara.

Pat loved polka music. He and Joan had a wide circle of friends who would often wind up dancing polkas. He loved watching Lawrence Welk.

After his Naval service, Pat began his second career as a civil servant at the Naval Air Station North Island in 1966, again working with naval aircraft. A clever mind who loved working with his hands, Pat often worked with the Navy’s aircraft cost reduction program. Six of his cost-saving suggestions were implemented, earning him several commendations and certificates and saving thousands of dollars for the United States government.

Pat loved his country and was proud to serve. He retired from civil service in 1980. He recently celebrated his 75-year membership in the San Diego County Fleet Reserve Club. In their retirement, Pat and Joan loved traveling throughout the United States, making friendships all along the way.

Maintaining his passion for sports, Pat officiated sports while in the Navy and also officiated intermural, high school and college basketball, baseball, volleyball and softball games for 50 years. He was a member of the American Softball Association (now known as USA Softball) beginning in 1955 and CIF since 1968.

At the age of 79, he retired from officiating in 2003, to care full-time for Joan. They were to have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary before Joan passed away in 2015.

Pat will be remembered for his extreme generosity and willingness to help anyone in need. He is survived by children, Patrick, Jr., Juliann, and granddaughter, Acacia, brothers Bernard Grattan and Francis Grattan. He is predeceased by his wife, Joan; daughter, Barbara; his siblings Caroline, Alda, Mary Jane, Dorothy and Dennis.

A rosary and Catholic funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 19 at 10 am at St. Rose of Lima Church in Chula Vista. In lieu of flowers, those interested in making a donation, may donate to the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego (www.alz.org/sandiego) or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrf.org).