Patrick Sutera

Patrick J. Sutera of Long Beach, CA was called to his eternal rest on Monday, February 8th, 2016. Pat was born in Haverstraw, NY on May 17, 1959 where he attended St. Peter's Grammar School and North Rockland High School. The 6th of 8 children, Pat spent his childhood enjoying the freedom his small town offered, trekking through the woods and hills behind his house. By age 18, he was restless and ready to explore more of the world. Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and gallantly served for four faithful years. Less than a month before being honorably discharged, Pat met Tina Chavez and knew in his heart and soul that she would be his lifelong love. After a long-distance romance, they wed on December 7, 1985. Fatherhood soon followed with the birth of their first daughter, Shauna, and their second daughter, Krista, came two years later. The long-awaited son, Ryan, arrived in 1993, and their family was complete. Pat worked a variety of jobs to sustain his family while he completed his education and eventually had a 28-year career in the telecom industry as a systems network engineer. Along the way he completed a Masters degree in Emergency Services and a community college graduate certificate geared towards teaching. Throughout the years, Pat had wide-ranging interests and pursued many different hobbies, from jui jitsu to coaching and refereeing youth soccer to varying home-improvement projects. Music was a lifelong passion for Pat, from the classic rock of his youth to alternative, folk, jazz, and most recently, classical music. He could often be found in the comfort of his living room listening late into the night or out at live-music venues where he and Tina owned the dance floor. Pat loved wine tasting, beers of all kinds, and a good scotch. He was a skilled cook, cyclist and followed politics closely. While Pat had a tough exterior and held strong opinions, anyone who knew him well recognized his tender heart. Pat is survived by his beloved wife, Tina (Chavez) Sutera and his devoted children, Shauna, Krista, and Ryan. He is also survived by his mother, Barbara (Heffern) Sutera; his brother, Thomas J. (T.J.) Sutera; and sisters, Cathy (George) Lucas, Mary Beth Brex, Barbara (John) Spirig, Jacqueline Sanchez, and Sally Sutera. He is pre-deceased by his father, Pasquale (Pat) Sutera and his brother, Bob Sutera. A devoted husband and proud father, Pat will always be remembered by his commitment and passion for his family and his faith. A viewing will be held on Saturday, February 13 at All Souls Mortuary in Long Beach, CA from 4:00pm to 6:00pm with a prayer service immediately following. On Monday, February 15, there will be an additional viewing at 10:00 directly preceding the funeral mass at Our Lady of Refuge Parish at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat’s memory to The Soldiers Project, a charitable organization dedicated to providing free, confidential psychological services to post-9/11 veterans and their loved ones. Donations can be made online at www.thesoldiersproject.org/donate or mailed by check to 4605 Lankershim Blvd. Suite 202, North Hollywood, CA 91602.