Sheridan "Pat" Lester Patterson

Sheridan Lester (Pat Patterson), career soldier, proud husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away peacefully at the age of 96 at the Perley Rideau Veterans Centre in Ottawa on November 11, 2025.

Pat was born on a small farm near the town of Burke’s Falls, Ontario in 1929. Despite growing up during the depression he had many fond memories of the farm and in his later life we discovered his love and affinity for animals, especially their team of horses, King and Minnie. Sadly his mother, Margaret Patterson (nee MacKay) died while Pat was a young boy. Following the loss of his mother and a fire on the family farm Pat was sent to his aunt’s house to attend school in Toronto as his father, Elgin Patterson had to leave the farm to find work in a lumber camp. City life did not agree with Pat and he left Toronto to join his father in the lumber camp. After having spent a winter in the lumber camp, Pat who had always been interested in the military, joined the Canadian Army as a Crewman in the Royal Canadian Dragoons in 1947.

In 1950 Pat volunteered for service in Korea and deployed with C Squadron Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). He essentially lived in his tank for nearly a year on the Jamestown line. Events on Hills 355, 227 and the Hook shaped and affected him more than we would realize until much later on in his life. Pat extended his Korean tour and stayed on with B Squadron Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) and was eventually invalided home with malaria.

Upon his return to the regiment in Calgary, Pat met and married the love of his life Gwen Towriss. Several postings took them across Canada and to Germany twice. In 1976 Pat was invested as a Member of the Order of Military Merit and he retired from the military in 1978 in Barrie, Ontario. In 1989 Pat & Gwen relocated to Nanaimo, British Columbia where they built a happy life and often travelled.

An avid reader of military history Pat also volunteered for many years at the Nanaimo Military Museum.

Pat is pre deceased by his wife Gwen, his sister Shirley; and is survived by his sons Mike (Chris), Kevin (Rhonda) and grandchildren, Samantha (Micheal), Mike (Karen), Jack (Maddy).

A Celebration of Life will take place at the First Memorial Funeral Services in Nanaimo, BC on 12 December 2025.

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of the Perley Veterans Health Centre. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Perley Health Centre at: https://www.perleyhealthfoundation.ca/ways-to-donate/tribute-gifts/