Michael John Patkoske, 88, of Yarmouthport, MA died peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2026 surrounded by family. Born on July 28, 1937 in Meriden, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Michael Walter Patkoske and Irene (Burgess) Patkoske. Mike grew up in Meriden surrounded by a large extended family. His father was one of 8 children and his mother was one of 13 children.
Mike attended St. Thomas Seminary and St. Bonaventure’s University before graduating from Fairfield University where he also received his Master’s Degree. Known affectionately as “Mr. Pat”, he taught Latin and History for nearly 40 years, beginning his career at Southington High School in Connecticut before moving to Cape Cod, where he taught at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School for three years followed by 30+ years at Barnstable High School. Throughout his teaching career, he served as a soccer coach and officiated both high school soccer and basketball games, which led to his induction into the Cape Cod Soccer Officials Hall of Fame.
After retiring, Mike coordinated the ESL program for Catholic Social Services in Hyannis, teaching students from all over the world. He was especially fond of his Brazilian students, many of whom he kept in contact with for years.
Mike was known for his ever-present smile, generosity and kindness to everyone he met and his sense of fun but especially for his lifelong love story with his wife Mary. They met 65 years ago in New York City and spent their lives together filled with love and laughter, raising a family, traveling throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Europe and always staying connected to their families, faith and community.
Mike and Mary have lived in Yarmouth for 62 years. Mike was known as the honorary "Mayor of Canterbury Woods", organizing neighborhood block parties and making sure all the neighbors got to know one another. He enjoyed the beach, swimming in Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound, playing the piano, working in the yard, and spending time with family and friends. His faith was so important to him, participating in many programs and volunteer roles at Saint Rose's, Saint Pius, and Our Lady of the Cape.
He had a lifelong passion for sports, participating in various athletic activities from a young age and continuing to play golf well into his 70s. He was a longstanding member of the Bass River Golf Course in Yarmouth. Additionally, Mike dedicated decades as a volunteer for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League, hosting players in the early 1980s and remaining actively involved with the organization into his 80s. Mike was a volunteer for the Cape Cod Community Pantry (formerly the Yarmouth Food Pantry). He was also a member of the Yarmouth Police Department Citizen Volunteers program and local neighborhood watch.
As he told his family, “I’ve had a wonderful life and a wonderful family. I’ve had a lot of fun. It’s the little things that make your life.”
Mike is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Ann (Quigley) Patkoske. He leaves behind his children: Beth Patkoske of Dennis; Kristin Pompeo and her fiancé Michael Rodriguez of Pembroke; and Michael Patkoske and his wife Jennifer of Wethersfield, CT. He was the cherished PopPop of Olivia (Pompeo) Griffith and her husband Tyler, Isabella Pompeo, Cecilia Pompeo, Madison Patkoske, and Matthew Patkoske as well as his bonus granddaughters, Alexandra and Cameron Rodriguez. Mike also leaves behind many beloved cousins, extended family, friends, neighbors, and former students who will miss his kindness and positive energy dearly. He was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Westermeyer and her husband Alfred of Connecticut, brothers-in-law Thomas, James, Robert and John Quigley.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 1, 2026 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Route 134 in South Dennis, MA. There will be a celebration mass at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stoney Brook Road in Brewster, MA on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 11:00 am. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mike’s memory to the Cape Cod Community Pantry, 845 Route 28, #16, Yarmouth, MA 02664 (link: https://yarmouthfoodpantry.org ) or the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod, 2095 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 (link: https://www.alzfamilysupport.org )
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the nurses and staff at Cape Cod Hospital Mugar 3 and the nurses and entire team at the McCarthy Care Center (Hospice House) in Sandwich.
