Patrick J. Table's Obituary
Patrick Joseph Table, coffee lover, Bowflex shredder, snazzy tie wearer, and Buccaneers fan, passed away on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019. He was the beloved son of Dorothy and Robert Table; Brother to Steve, Gerri, Kevin, and Ken; husband to Sue; and Dad to Ian and Allison (Billy). Better known as Pat to family and friends, he will be remembered for his infectious positive energy and passion for music, comedy, and movies. He was a devoted Dad and husband, and a friend to all whose lives he touched. Pat left us after a 3-year battle with colorectal cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends at the Hope Hospice in Lehigh Acres while the hits of David Bowie and The Cars played in the background. He had a life-long love affair with music. Pat had expansive music taste, though he especially loved late 70’s and 80’s new wave, pop, and hard rock. Before driving anywhere, Pat always carefully selected the song he wanted to hear – over the years this meant hefting a case of tapes, books of CDs, and then an iPod of his on-the-go music collection. The soundtrack to Pat’s life would likely feature Prince, INXS, Led Zeppelin, and Pat Benetar. Begrudgingly the soundtrack would have to include songs from Alanis Morissette’s album Jagged Little Pill, which Pat played on repeat for about a year (to his daughter’s irritation). The soundtrack would most definitely include “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper, which was Pat and his wife Sue’s wedding first dance song. Pat married Sue, the love of his life, 35 years ago in New Jersey. They fell for each other after working together at the college newspaper at Seton Hall University. Together they attended live shows and interviewed bands, including Cyndi Lauper. They settled in Lehigh Acres where they lived for the past 29 years. Ever the playful spirit, Pat never missed an opportunity to quote Saturday Night Live or Monty Python. Recorded episodes of Saturday Night Live played every Sunday morning in the Table home. Pat dutifully updated the family Netflix queue to have consistent weekend screenings of comedy classics, indie sci-fi movies, and of course, to never miss the latest comic book movie (whether they were blockbusters or flops). He took pride in his two children, Ian and Billy, who both inherited his ability to finish all the food on a plate. Pat had a healthy and seemingly unbounded appetite to, as the Coneheads from Saturday Night Live would say, “Consume massive quantities!” Favorite indulgences included steaks from Outback on birthdays and Father’s Days, Bud Light Lime on the weekends, and for the most special occasions, a Carvel Cookie Puss ice cream cake. His family honors him by always having room for dessert, because it’s “only wafer thin.” Pat also shared the gift of sportsmanship and teamwork with his son Ian, for whom he coached in soccer for many years. With Billy, Pat encouraged creativity, theatre, and fashion sense. Most mornings before work, they coordinated Pat’s look of the day. They both always agreed the gray suit looks great with a pink tie. Pat’s wisdom persists through all of us thanks to his ability to give advice for any situation (which suited his lifelong profession as a salesperson of advertising and trainer to junior salespeople). He excelled at creating connections with people, being a helping hand (or “Helpy Helperton,” as he would say), and having a bold and joyful presence. Examples of these include being on a first name basis with the baristas at Starbucks; Maintaining the lawn on the family’s half-acre by zipping around on his riding lawnmower; and being heard across the house with his thundering sneezes and boisterous shouts of glee at Buccaneers touchdowns. All who remember Pat are welcome to attend his celebration of life memorial which will be held at Lakes Park Pavillion D1 on Sunday, December 15th from 11am to 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the American Cancer Society in Pat’s memory. American Cancer Society provided transport support throughout Pat’s treatment, and your donations can support their continued efforts in research, treatment, and care. Even though Pat has left us, his brilliant energy exists forever in our hearts, and in the universe. As great American astrophysicist Carl Sagan once said, “The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, and the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.” Pat is our Starman, waiting in the sky. Arrangements for final care have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer a condolence at this difficult time please visit www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign the guestbook.
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