Patrick Thomas Rice

Born on August 27, 1949, in Rabat, French Morocco, Africa; as part of a military family, Patrick traveled to various locations across the country before eventually settling in Virginia. On June 21, 1975, he and Kerry Burden were married at Fort Myer Post Chapel in Arlington, Virginia, and ultimately settled in Vienna, VA where they raised a loving family and built a life filled with laughter and love.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Kerry; his sons, Matthew (Sarah) and Christopher; four cherished grandchildren, Tristan, Kayla, Taylor, and Gavin. Additionally, Patrick is survived by his twin brother, Michael (Diane), and sisters, Betty Anne Kaminsky and Mary Jo Mahoney (Dennis) as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Known affectionately as ‘Papa’ to his grandchildren, Patrick was a dedicated husband, loving father, amazing grandfather, cherished brother and a loving son. As a renowned storyteller, Patrick brought great joy to family gatherings with his engaging tales and sense of humor. Patrick was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and treasured his family roots; often reminiscing of childhood summers spent in Savannah, GA. He also had a deep passion for fishing, motorcycles, classic cars and an uncanny ability to connect with animals, specifically many family dogs throughout the years which he loved dearly. He cherished his time spent in the Outer Banks, NC where he enjoyed creating lasting memories and establishing traditions with his family.

In 1971, Patrick embarked on a 34-year career with the Department of Defense (Office of Inspector General), where he served as Chief of the Systems Integration Division within the Information Systems Directorate. Patrick was also a very dedicated community member and especially loved volunteering in anything related to his family, including Boy Scouts, and many sports teams throughout the years. Additionally, he served as the President of the Vienna Chapter of the Lions Club, dedicating his time to charitable work and local projects, including vision screenings, food drives and other various community efforts. After retiring in 2005, Patrick and Kerry relocated to New Bern, NC to begin a peaceful retired life.

Patrick loved the tranquility and slower pace of life in New Bern. He enjoyed boating on the many surrounding waterways and exploring the coastal Carolina region. Patrick was an enthusiastic participant in the Rock Steady Boxing program of New Bern, where he found strength and a sense of community with his fight against Parkinson’s disease. Through this program, he worked to improve his physical and mental health, demonstrating resilience and determination while striving to inspire others facing similar challenges.

Patrick will be remembered for his warmth, humor, and his deep love for family.

A more formal Catholic Mass, in memory of Patrick, will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 3 PM at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in New Bern; a more relaxed Celebration of Life reception will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 1 - 3 PM at Cotten Funeral Home, where you are invited to join the family in food, fellowship and fond memories of Patrick.

In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Patrick who was a proud Rock Steady Boxer, may be made via its non-profit parent organization at: https://www.bikeboxproject.org or mailed to: Bike Box Project, PO Box 1313, New Bern, NC 28563.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Patrick Thomas Rice.