Paul Joseph Patrinicola, Jr.

Paul Joseph Patrinicola Jr. “Pepsi” died on August 2, 2022 at the age of 84 in Gilchrist Hospice. Paul suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in January and had been in rehab ever since. He continued to show his courage in facing life’s challenges and stayed strong until the end.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Parkville by parents Gertrude (Gert) and Paul Joseph Sr. he grew up with his brother George in a modest house on Joppa Road. He loved driving us down there to see the house and tell funny stories of his childhood.

Paul graduated from Towson State Teachers College in 1960 and went on to receive a Master of Education from Loyola College. He was very athletic, playing soccer and baseball in college while also playing lead bass in a rock band “The Crystals”. He met the love of his life, Melanie, at Towson and shared a wonderful 60-year marriage with her. They were able to celebrate their 60th together on June 17th this year.

In 1973 Paul and Melanie bought some land in Pylesville, built a house and started raising their family in the country. He was quite handy around the house, always working on one project or another, and made sure he taught both his children these skills. He gave us little toolboxes to carry around so we could “help” with projects. Dad did so much to make our childhood memorable and was pretty much the quintessential father. He made sure we knew how to change a tire, paint a wall, write a proper letter and cook perfect pancakes. He built a treehouse in the woods for us, coached our sports practices, taught us to drive (Anne Marie in a church parking lot so he would be “close to God”), scared away the spiders and just generally made growing up special. We had a big garden where there seemed to be more snakes than vegetables, but he was always down there working away on it. We spent our weekends at the community lake where he was always a favorite for his bad jokes and whale impersonation. For years he drove a red VW bug and as a special treat let us ride in the way back to the local school track when he went jogging. On Sunday evenings he’d let us sit at the dining room table with him and help grade papers.

Paul was a dedicated and life-time educator with Baltimore County Public Schools, touching the lives of the many people he encountered. He started his career at Perry Hall Jr High teaching social studies. Students loved him and they would always stop and say Hi to “Mr. P” if he ran into them outside of school. During his 37-year career Paul continued on as department chair, supervisor, and assistant principal at Hereford High School. Kids remember him from Hereford as the “cool guy”, always trying to cut them a break when he’d catch them up to no good.

He was as an avid and accomplished golfer, twice winning the club championship at the Winters Run Golf Club. He had a handicap of 6, consistently played at par and shot “even par” at least twice over the years. He loved taking golf trips with his buddies and went to South Carolina several times as well as Arizona. Pretty sure he always won! In 2004 he took the trip of a lifetime to the Masters practice rounds and was able to see all his favorites play through.

Paul loved music his entire life. When he was in his 60’s he treated himself to a custom Martin guitar, something he’d always dreamed of owning. His original guitar, a Fender electric bass, was a staple in our house growing up. It was perfectly kept in a leather case with purple velvet lining. He loved to play and sing any tune, especially John Denver. So many Saturday nights in our house were filled with his guitar playing.

Paul was a good, solid man. His heart was big and kind and he shared it generously with friends and family. He worked hard to instill these values in his children. He devoted everything to his wife Melanie and to building a life for his family. As a father he was the best. Always dependable, solid, supportive and encouraging. A man who always had your back. His humor, laugh, and generosity will always be remembered.

In addition to his wife Melanie, he is survived by daughter Anne-Marie Smouse, son Paul Andrew Patrinicola, and brother George Patrinicola.

Please Join the Family to Celebrate the Life of Paul Joseph Patrinicole Jr. on Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 4-7pm at Winters Run Golf Club 1000 N. Tollgate Road Bel Air, MD

Paul lived his life with lots of laughter. he wanted the last time his friends gathered to remember him to be a happy time. We look forward to seeing everyone and celebrating a very special man.

Kindly RSVP by 10/17 to Anne Marie [email protected]