Patrick J. Washam

Born on May 1, 1933 in Newark, NJ, Patrick was one of 11 children born to Mary (née Nelson) and Floyd Washam. He resided in Newark, South Orange, Maplewood and Lakewood, NJ for the majority of his life. As did many families during the Great Depression, the Washams endured many hardships, and all of the children were relegated to two different orphanages. Pat was blessed with a keen intellect and a beautiful singing voice, both of which piqued the interest of the Jesuit (Catholic) priests at St. Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City, NJ. They were inspired to invite him there to pursue his high school education, to which he attributed the development of his character, work ethic, and life goals. He was a proud graduate of the Class of 1951.

Pat and his German-born wife, Ingeborg, were a young couple who raised three daughters over several decades on Roland Avenue in South Orange, NJ. In order to provide for his family, he worked tirelessly at multiple jobs. Pat sold business machines “door-to-door” for Smith-Corona Marchant, Inc. (SCM), and he moonlighted nearly every weekend as bartender/server at and such quintessential banquet halls as The Chanticler in Millburn and Mayfair Farms in West Orange. Nevertheless, he still managed to further his education, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Seton Hall University, and an additional Master’s degree from NYU.

For several decades, “Mr. Washam” greatly enjoyed his career teaching U.S. History at Barringer High School in Newark, NJ, where he was highly respected and sought after. As a Boy Scout Master Pat guided countless youths (much as he had been mentored during his years at his beloved St. Peter’s Prep). A highlight of his time with the organization was taking his family on a cross-country train trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in NM for its annual Jamboree. It took him nearly a year to save up for it, but it is a memory his daughters cherish 60 years later.

Patrick also proudly served in the U.S. Army, and later in the U.S. Army Reserves.

He and Inge moved in 1998 to Leisure Village in Lakewood, NJ. In 2006 his beloved wife passed away, and Pat spent his final years in assisted living care facilities in Rutland, VT (briefly at The Meadows at East Mountain) and finally in New Brunswick, NJ (Parker at Landing Lane -- where he was cherished by staff and residents alike.)

Pat was a voracious reader. He began each day devouring the New York Times, and completed the daily crossword puzzle in minutes -- and in ink. His interests were far-ranging, and he had an encyclopedic knowledge of countless subjects, especially U.S. and world history. He enjoyed football, jigsaw puzzles, trucks, anything sweet, dreadful puns, blueberry pancakes, going to yard sales in search of old license plates, and dancing with his beautiful wife. He also dabbled in creating stained glass artwork. Quick to laugh, Pat had a joyful, easy-going demeanor

Among his most precious memories are the numerous trips he took to Ireland (where his mother, her family and several of his siblings were born), and to Germany with Inge to visit her childhood home.

Several of their grandchildren accompanied them on each of these adventures so that they would learn about their roots and appreciate the adversities and triumphs of their ancestors.

Left behind to treasure his memory are his daughters Roseanne Smalley, Patti Williams Kelley and her husband, Earl, and Heidi Baker and her husband, Ron -- both of whom were his and Inge’s selfless, dedicated caregivers for many years.

Poppi leaves behind cherished grandchildren Loren Smalley and her husband, Juan Marquez, Drew Smalley (Rachel Winkler), and Jay Patrick Smalley and his wife, Haley Holden; Jennifer Williams Parker and her husband, Dana, Mark Williams, Jr. (Kelly Batchelder), and Sarah Williams; and Annelise Baker and Russell Baker and his wife Vanessa Clark Baker.

He is also survived by his adored great-grandchildren Brandon Parker (Brooke Lussier) and their daughter, Remi Parker (Pat’s great-great-granddaughter); Adam Parker (Britney Hadvab), and Emerson Walsh. Pat is also survived by three siblings, Fred Washam, Terry Cordasco, and Eileen Sabin, and several nieces and nephews. Pat was very fond of all his McCarthy and Nelson family members, both stateside and abroad. “Uncle Pat” and “Aunt Inge”were also doting godparents to siblings Maggie Calabrese Bove and Michael Calabrese.

In addition to his wife and his parents, Pat was predeceased by beloved sons-in-law Mark J. Williams, Sr. and Ernest N. “Ernie” Smalley, and seven siblings: John “Jack” Washam, Sheila Small, Anne Cubeta, Veronica Washam, Kathleen Greene, and twins Francis and Anthony Washam. Two sisters-in-law, Irma Carbone and Trudi Heublein, a brother-in-law Karl Schweimler of Nuremberg, Germany, many members of the McCarthy and Nelson families, and several nieces and nephews also predeceased him.

The family wishes to acknowledge the staff of Parker at Landing Lane Nursing Home for their professional, compassionate and attentive care over the years. We are grateful for their personal interest in Dad’s comfort and well-being. They truly did love him – puns and all.

There will be no calling hours. A Celebration of Life will be held at McCracken Funeral Home in Union, NJ, on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. followed by a graveside committal service and burial with military honors at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in E. Hanover, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending memorial contributions to: Saint Peter’s Prep, Office of Institutional Advancement, 144 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. https://spprep.org/giving/ways-of-giving/

Sláinte, D.O.D!