Patrick Sweeney

Patrick Sweeney, 84, died December 28, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama. He was born in Huntington, West Virginia, to the late Bernard and Mildred Sweeney. He graduated from St. Albans High School, St. Albans, WV, along with his sister, Jane Ann, in 1957.

Pat attended Georgia Tech, earning a BS in Industrial Engineering in 1964. He was a member and president of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. While a co-op student, Pat worked for the Planning Commission and the waterworks in Atlanta. Pat met Emerine McMichael during his Tech years, and they were married at Epworth Methodist Church in Atlanta in 1966.

After several years with Owens Corning Fiberglass in Aiken, South Carolina, Pat attended Florida State University in Tallahassee. He earned a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in guidance and counseling. While at FSU Pat worked as the VA counselor, Orientation Director, and an instructor in the College of Education.

Pat began his career with the US Veterans’ Administration in 1977 in Jacksonville, Florida, as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. He moved on to Washington, DC, Atlanta, and then Montgomery, Alabama. Over the years, VA colleagues became lifelong friends.

Although Pat received numerous performance and leadership awards, he was most proud of his staff and the mission of the VA: “to care for those ‘who shall have borne the battle’ and for their families, caregivers and survivors.” He served as the Assistant Director and Acting Director of the regional office in Montgomery, retiring from the US Department of Veterans Affairs in 2003. Pat began a second career, working with the Social Security Administration’s Office of Disability, Adjudication and Review for 13 years.

In retirement Pat volunteered with the American Red Cross Disaster Relief services, helping families in Montgomery, after Hurricane Katrina, and after flooding in North Carolina. At Frazer Church Pat taught English as a Second Language and served as a Stephen Minister. He participated in Bible Study Fellowship and the Walk to Emmaus. Pat and Emerine were active in the Bereans class at Frazer.

Pat and Emerine were blessed with 57 years of marriage, setting an example of love and loyalty for their children, Erin Colleen and Patrick McMichael (Mike). Pat is survived by his wife, Emerine, of Montgomery; daughter Erin Sweeney Geshwiler

(James), grandsons Connor and Alex Geshwiler, of Hopkinton, Massachusetts; cherished daughter-in-law, Cabell Biddle Sweeney, of Rome, Georgia; niece Millie Rife Hay (Alex) and grand-nephew Nathan Hay, of Columbus, Ohio. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved son, Mike Sweeney, and his sister, Jane Sweeney Rife. Pat worked hard, loved and served the Lord, and was devoted to his family. He went to heaven on his 84th birthday.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Frazer Free Methodist Church in Montgomery. Friends are invited to contribute to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief services to honor Pat’s memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AlabamaHeritageFH.com for the Sweeney family.