Richard Henry Patronella passed away on Thursday the 12th of September of 2019 in the briefest instant of time and from the blinking of the eyes of Jesus; after a long battle of heart disease and COPD.
A native Houstonian, he was the fourth child and second son of Carmelo (Clarence Clinton Patronella) and Helen Josephine Bilá who preceded his death. He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents: Frank Petronella and Bessie Palermo both immigrants of Corleone, Sicily and Francesco Giuseppe Bilá of Salaparuta, Sicily and Bessie Arnold of Paris, Texas. Also preceding him was his brother Clarence Frank Patronella, a grandnephew, two sons and two daughters. He was born on 2 January 1952 in the old St. Joseph’s Infirmary and was baptized on 20 January 1952 in Holy Name Parish. His godparents were his oldest sister Bessie Ann Patronella and his brother Clarence Frank Patronella. He was named after two kings, Richard the Lion Heart and Henry the VIII.
He attended grade school in the Heights at All Saints Catholic School. His freshman year he attended The George W. Strake Memorial Jesuit College and graduated from St. Thomas High School class of ’70.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of twenty-three years Maria E. Gijón-Aguilar de Patronella, daughter of Colonel Rafael Gijon Robles and Doris E. Aguilar. His children: Lauren Charise, Clinton Richard, (wife Andrea) and Meghan Serena Patronella. Grandchildren: Bryton, Haddon Everette, Evangeline and Emerson of Boston and Ellie of San Antonio. Numerous nieces and nephews. Many paternal cousins and maternal cousins and special cousin Traci Patronella and her children.
Inurnment is at Forest Park Westheimer. His paternal Aunt Josephine Patronella Kristof is also in that cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the grandchildren’s college fund.
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