William Patrick "Pat" Power

William Patrick “Pat” Power passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the age of 90. He was the patriarch of the Power family since the death of his eldest brother almost 4 decades ago. He is survived by his wife of more than 57 ½ years, Ione Algero Power, his son Patrick Joseph Power (Shelly), daughters Michele Power Marsh (Chuck), and Danielle Power Barry-Cummiskey (Rob), grandsons Patrick J. Power, Jr. (Amber), Timothy “Tim” L. Power, Brian P. Barry, Conor A. Marsh, and Liam R. Cummiskey, granddaughter Brianna I. Barry, and great-grandsons Damien, Kingston, and Bodhi Power. He is also survived by nephews Irvin and Patrick Keller, Charles Hassinger, Joseph, Michael, Christopher, and Stephen Algero, nieces Brenda Power Danielson, Pamela Power Cure, Elizabeth Power Klumpp, Angelle Burmaster Weidenbacher, Ashley Burmaster Helmstetter, and Patrice Algero Ellzey, brothers-in-law Otis “Sonny” Burmaster and Joseph “J.C.” Algero, and sisters-in-law Cecelia “Celie” Power and Audrey Algero as well as many great-nephews, great-nieces, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Timothy Joseph Power and Marion Weibelt Power, and all his siblings, Joseph “Earl” Power, John E. Power, Marion “Manny” Power Keller, Irma Power Hassinger, Terrence “Terry” Power, and Gloria Power Burmaster, nephews Earl “E.J.” and Ronnie Power, nieces Terrell Power and Kim Power Armstrong, brothers-in-law Irvin Keller, Sr. and Charles Hassinger, Sr., and sister-in-law Alicia “Nookie” Power.

Pat was born in the Irish Channel on March 17, 1932, and was the 5th child of Timothy and Marion. He graduated from Redemptorist High School in 1951 and served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the time of the Korean War. After serving his country, he worked for a brief period for the Otis Elevator Company before working for the federal government with the Commodity Credit division and then the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture National Finance Center from where he retired in 1989.

Pat was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He was extremely proud of being a U.S. veteran, growing up in the Irish Channel, and of his Irish heritage. He often spoke of his great-grandfather, also named Patrick, who was born 100 years before him in County Roscommon, Ireland, being the first in the Power family to arrive in America and settle in New Orleans.

He enjoyed sports immensely and was a fan of football, basketball, and baseball. He played a variety of sports in his school years and was quite the athlete. In his adult years, he played softball and was a member of the Greater New Orleans Athletic League (GNOAL). In 1989 he was honored by being inducted into the GNOAL Hall of Fame for outstanding achievement, leadership, and ability.

Pat was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He was an active member in his community and was a member of several organizations including the American Legion and the Law Enforcement Emerald Society of New Orleans. He was a past president of the Redemptorist High School Alumni Association and was chosen to be the Redemptorist Man of the Year in 1995. Pat was a long-time member of the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Marching Club, served on the Board of Directors for many years, and was the 1990 grand marshal for the annual parade. One of the organization’s largest charitable events is the St. Patrick’s Day block party at Annunciation playground to raise funds for the benefit of St. Michael’s Special School. The annual event is usually held on March 17 and Pat would spend his birthday celebrating among the many attendees and volunteering his time helping at the event. He said that while it was a day of enjoyment, it really was all about giving back to the Mercy nuns who take care of those special children. Pat was also a long-time active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) which is the oldest lay Catholic organization in America and was formed in 1836 to protect the clergy and churches. The AOH in New Orleans began in 1876 and Pat’s roots go back to 1892 when his great-grandfather served on the local committee that hosted the first AOH National Convention held in New Orleans. His grandfather and dad were also active AOH members. Pat often said it was a blessing to be an Irishman, but it was a great honor to be a Hibernian and in 2005, he was the first in his lineage to be honored as Irishman of the Year. The AOH is a major contributor to charitable causes. Besides fostering and sustaining loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church, one of its principles is to promote friendship, unity, and true Christian charity which is what Pat emulated in his daily life.

Pat was a stubborn Irishman with a heart of gold. He did not mix words and would tell it like it was, so you knew exactly his stance on matters. He was loud and passionate and if you didn’t know him, you would have thought he was yelling at you. He always spoke from a place of love for his family and friends and could frequently be heard “bragging” about his family which was his pride and joy. His family and friends knew that they could always call on him and he was always ready to help. He was a man who knew no stranger and would frequently strike up conversations with people he would meet wherever he went. He and Ione vacationed in numerous states and countries over the years, and he made distant friends with some he met during their travels. Pat’s favorite destination was Ireland and he maintained friendships until his passing with a few of the people he had met in his great-grandfather’s native land.

Relatives and friends of the family, also members of the Irish Channel Marching Club, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Emerald Society are invited to attend the visitation and funeral Mass at St. Mary the Assumption Catholic Church, 923 Josephine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 on Thursday, April 7, 2022, from 9:30 AM until 1:00 PM followed by Mass at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in Hope Mausoleum 4841 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119.

Wearing a touch of green in honor of the deceased is encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 724 Camp Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, and St. Michael Special School, 1522 Chippewa Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 are preferred.

Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, LA 70006 is in charge of arrangements. The online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.