Donald Forris Patterson

Don was a New Yorker through and through. From Riverside Drive, to Columbia University, over the bridge to New Jersey, and then back to New York’s Upper East Side.

Don was born on August 31, 1938, son of the late George Bristow Patterson and Alice May (Strong) Patterson. He is survived by his wife, Sherry (Pletcher) Patterson, his son, Dan Patterson, his daughters, Gena (Mike) Krug & Chrissy (Jack) Anderson, and his grandchildren Jeff, Catie, and Allie. He is also survived by his sister, Lynn Patterson, his nieces and nephews, and family and friends. Don was preceded in death by his brothers, George and Jerry Patterson, and his son, Michael Patterson.

Don attended the famous High School of Performing Arts, where his parents were teachers, and graduated from Columbia University, where he was a star tennis player. After college, Don served in the National Guard before moving to New Jersey to own and operate Desire Mills in Paterson, NJ. After a long career in the textile industry, Don started a new career in furniture sales and then as a commercial real estate agent.

Don was full of life, energy, and curiosity as showcased in his love for hiking, running, skiing, golfing, and playing tennis, as well as chess, reading, puzzles, and gardening. He was a lifelong fan of the NY Giants & NY Mets (formerly, the Dodgers) - when they were good, of course. Don loved a nice, cold glass of white wine and sneaking bites of strawberry ice cream directly from the freezer. One of his favorite things to do was to sit and watch a good thunderstorm.

Don fought off his cancer as long as he could. He stayed strong to walk his daughter Chrissy down the aisle just last month. He loved his family and his family loved him. He will be dearly missed.

The memorial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who gave him fantastic care up until the very end.

https://giving.mskcc.org/donate-now?gclid=CjwKCAjw_-D3BRBIEiwAjVMy7BOx8LGnHGHERLcoHu0zn2CjpB231BcslKXSi3ZDQA-XLhXYWNiH7xoCDuQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Watch tribute slideshow here:

https://plus.smilebox.com/play?g=0ae8d978-6df1-4929-9742-764333ae4422&sbid=3466