Patrick Behnken (Walsh)

Patrick was born May 6, 1945 and left on his final journey during the night of March 26. Patrick was born during WWII and his father was a bomber pilot. Pat’s name was printed on the side of the plane his father flew into battle.

His dad went on to be a pilot for Pan American Airlines so Pat grew up in New York and Florida. In Miami he attended Christopher Columbus High School, which was an all boy’s school. Patrick played football, tennis and baseball, as well as excelling in diving. Patrick was the Florida State Championship for diving as a member of the Junior Olympics diving team. He put on diving demonstrations at large resort hotels, such as The EdenRoc and Fountainbleu.

Patrick had a successful landscape design business in Miami. One of his jobs was landscaping a large shopping center for Eddie Debartolo who owned the San Francisco FortyNiners at the time.

Patrick moved to St. Helena in 1997 after meeting his future wife, Carole Parr. People asked me what Patrick was like and I said he was the type of man who would dance with me in the morning while we still had our pajamas on. Patrick loved reading and carried a book with him at all times. If there was a phrase to describe him it was that he loved reading.

Patrick is survived by Carole’s family who embraced him for his loving kindness and his hilarious sense of humor. Along with his wife, Carol, Patrick is survived by Sue Von and David Daniels, Holly Mason (Peter) and Zachary, and Vanessa Parr. Grandchildren Erin Corry, Megan, Ryan & Logan Daniels. Dylan and Cecily Mason, and Antoine and Amelie Parr. Patrick is also survived by many great- grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the Grace Episcopal Church (1314 Spring Street) in St. Helena.