Patrick Hollerbach Reid

Born September 20, 1962

Patrick was the first born of four children to Lawrence and Gwendolyn Hollerbach September 20, 1962. Pat became part of a blended family with the addition of two little brown-eyed Irish girls and a wonderful step-father named Thomas Reid after the death of his birth father in 1971. This family of eight needed a larger home which was built out on Brewer Road in Leonard Michigan. Sledding downhill at Mr. Benson's next door was a favorite family event as it included a little bit of speed and everyone was there. Pat loved his family-time. It wasn't long before additional jumps were built by all the kids, much enjoyed especially by Pat.

Pat also loved horses and the speed he learned to attain while riding them at lessons. From an early age and throughout Pat's life, it was evident that Pat was a lover of all things fast. Alongside the horses, Pat enjoyed riding dirt bikes for hours at the neighbors gravel-pit track.

In high school, Pat excelled in band playing the coronet and in sports . He was on the ski team in the winter and the track team in the spring. Pat's love of skiing opened opportunities for him as he landed a job at Pine Knob Music Theatre / Ski and Snowboard resort. He worked as a cook in the summer and a chair lift operator in the winter from 1978-1984. This was a fantastic job for Pat as he loved to concoct spicy dishes in the kitchen and had access to the slopes to perfect his love for skiing. Pat was an excellent down-hill skier, but of course he had to take it up a notch. Pat taught himself how to "hot dog", doing jumps and skiing downhill on one ski. Pat was also very generous with his perks at Pine Knob. His siblings enjoyed endless free concerts with guest lists for their friends. In the winter, one of his sisters took full advantage of time on the slopes before the lodge was open. She was not out there alone long before an advanced instructor was offering her lessons to keep her safe with her big brother Pat's approval.

Horses, cars, motorcycles, and down-hill skiing were a part of Pat's young life.

Tragically, a car accident after leaving work from Pine Knob dramatically changed the course of Pat's life. A cervical spinal cord injury was the end result. Paralyzed from the neck down and intubated, Pat had to fight for his life for months. Pat's family grounded in deep faith prayed as did Pat and he eventually stabilized and was able to be extubated. The next arduous part of Pat's journey was to begin and he was moved to a rehab facility. Pat's breathing, due to the high nature of the injury, made his transition extremely difficult for him. But Pat, like the tough edelweiss plant that grows in the mountains, had incredible tenacity, courage, and strength. Miracles began to surface.

Doctors came to see the young man do things he was NOT supposed to be able to do, including walk. Pat was at a Catholic rehab facility with a chapel. He endured arduous rehab all day long and asked to be brought to the chapel each day before being returned to his room for the night.

Pat was eventually discharged home and began outpatient therapy as Pat was adamant that he was going to continue his journey toward independence.

Pat worked hard and did what others said was impossible.

He traveled to Germany with one of his friends, a bucket-list lifelong dream. Pat held onto his dreams of independent living and in God's time, he had his own apartment in Dryden, Michigan. In true Patrick form, it was on the second floor of a converted barn, with the stairwell outside facing the elements. Pat said it would be good therapy for him, to practice doing the stairs, and for over twenty years, it was. Pat was very happy out in Dryden and he loved the country. Pat raised a pig one year and was given a special hunting permit that allowed him to join his friends during deer season. Pat was an avid hunter and was often known for giving away smoked venison jerky near Christmas time.

Pat's love of cars made a job at a full service gas station perfect for him and he worked there for many years while concurrently studying computer aided design at Oakland Community College. Pat was able to engage people in any situation and was quick to make friends. It wasn't long before he was good friends with the local Fire Department and invited along for some exhilarating rides before he discovered the ultimate test of speed...skydiving.

Pat began his skydiving adventures out at Napoleon Skydiving Center but also jumped at Marine City and, for many years, Midwest Freefall Sport Parachute Club. Within the skydiving community, Pat found "his people". They were patriotic like he was, cared about each other, and gave others unique opportunities to soar.

Pat's skydiving adventures lasted well over 25 years, including his 142nd jump a few weeks prior to his death. Life was not without struggles, as Patrick lived with daily pain from his spinal cord injury, but he rarely complained. Through Pat's life, he showed us all how to fully live and to focus on what we could do, always reaching for more.

Pat was very giving and close to all of his nieces and nephews along with his siblings. Pat was known to share whatever he may have, with everyone. Sharing sometimes included Pat's knowledge on hunting, rifles, his opinions on world events and car repairs. Pat had the makings of a service garage set up at his own place and liked to teach the kids how to do many of their own auto repairs. One particular niece recalls a fun afternoon learning how to change the spark plugs and the ignition coils on her first car.

Pat truly enjoyed teaching what he knew and enjoyed his special role as Uncle.

Pat was also a lover of animals. He adopted and looked after many sick and injured cats over the years, striving to give them good lives for whatever time they had left. To the chagrin of a neighbor after moving into his new condo on the east side, Pat trained a black squirrel to eat out of his hand. Patrick was always generous with his time, his possessions and his love of life and he had a great sense of humor. If you came to visit as a first timer, you can be sure he would invite you skydiving, and pay for the video of your dive. Pat convinced many people to skydive with him including several Au pairs from Europe, and two nieces...Pat loved skydiving and was known for sharing why: it was the one place where he did not feel handicapped, and this brought him tremendous peace.

Pat is preceded in death by his birth-father Lawrence, parents Thomas and Gwendolyn Reid. Patrick is survived by his siblings: Sandra Hollerbach Reid of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, Suzanne Hollerbach (Dr. Eric )Nelson of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Lawrence Hollerbach Reid (Lori) Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan and two stepsisters: Colleen Marie Affeldt Dallas, Texas and Erin Maureen (Brandon) Bliss, Dallas, Texas. Pat is survived by 12 beautiful nieces/ nephews: Emily, Sarah, Isaiah, Benjamin, Abigail, Sam, Jacob, Simon, Annie, Haranath, Margaret Mary, and Joseph, along with great niece, Azalea Elizabeth. Patrick is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, his skydiving community and his beloved cat Jasper.

May we all learn to live and appreciate life like Patrick did; according to one of his nieces and we might all agree;Pat was a modern-day hero.

A visitation for Patrick will be held Thursday, August 17, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a rosary 7:00 PM at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.

A visitation will occur Friday, August 18, 2023 from 9:15 AM until time of Mass at 10:00 AM at Assumption Grotto Church, 13770 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48205.

Memorial contributions in Pat's honor may be made to Folds of Honor or Grosse Pointe Animal Society. In lieu of a monetary donation, please consider a Mass intention in his name.