Stephen A. Patterson

Patterson, Stephen A.

Brooktondale: Stephen Andrew Patterson, age 37, of Brooktondale, NY, died on March 2, 2013 at Hospicare of Ithaca after fighting a battle with brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family. Steve was born in Ithaca, NY on October 17, 1975. From a young age, he was heavily involved in sports. He started playing baseball and soccer at age 5. Steve focused on soccer, and his parents helped organize the youth programs of Ithaca United Soccer, where he played on home and travel teams, winning many tournaments. His parents loved watching the tall, lanky number 7. While at Ithaca High School, Steve played varsity soccer and lacrosse. Outside of school, his hobbies included skiing and golfing. Steve attended SUNY Delhi and Cornell University, where he studied horticulture. He had a strong interest in gardening and landscaping, which was influenced by hours of time spent with his grandfather, Russell Patterson, in his garden. After college, Steve was the Assistant Superintendent at the Country Club of Ithaca. He later moved to Vermont, where he continued working for various golf courses. Steve's love of the outdoors led to his pursuits in mountain biking, hiking, and snowboarding. He was a snowboard instructor at Sugarbush, and he loved to hike up Stowe Mountain and then snowboard down after the first snow of the season. Locally, Steve knew the trails of Shindagin Hollow like the back of his hand. Steve met his best friend, Christine Alexander, six years ago. Their two children, Ruby (4) and Sebby (3), were the greatest joys in his life. He enjoyed spending time with them outdoors--playing soccer in the front yard, teaching them about flowers and gardening, or taking them for walks by Six Mile Creek. He often said he never realized having children would be so much fun, and he spent most his time nurturing his children. Steve is survived by his grandmother, Geraldine Patterson (Ithaca); his parents, Richard Patterson (Leslie Intemann) and Nadine (Mike) Bennett (all of Ithaca); his best friend, Christine Patterson and their two children, Ruby and Sebastian (Ithaca); his sister, Jen Patterson (Brooktondale); and stepsister, Sarah Bennett (Ithaca). The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 6, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Bangs Funeral Home. A mass in Steve's memory will be given at Immaculate Conception on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Beachtree Care Facility, Hospicare of Ithaca, or the Cornell Plantations. The family would like to thank both Beachtree and Hospicare for their kindness and compassion during this time.