Whitehorse Daily Star

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Patrick (Pat) Nelson Reece

October 31, 1953 - April 12, 2024

Pat passed away Friday April 12th at his Kelowna home after a long battle with cancer.

Pat was born in Kelowna on Halloween Day in 1953 to his loving parents Nelson and Patricia Reece, and was their second son.

Pat is survived by me, Rick Reece of Kelowna, and his nieces Krista and family of Kelowna, and Amy and family of Spring Lake, AB. Pat is also survived by two aunts, Esther and Gwen and by many cousins locally and abroad.

Pat was a man of mystery who led an international life with homes in Kelowna, Whitehorse, YT and Kauai, Hawaii.

Pat never married as his real love was business at which he excelled with his working career starting in Westbank working for our father at Westbank Packers at the young age of 10 years old. We were a working family in the fruit business which was one of two major employers in Westbank at that time.

In 1976 Pat came to work with me in Kelly’s Stereo Mart in Whitehorse where he excelled in sales. In the early 1980’s Pat transitioned into running our Qwanlin Twin Theatres where he made a success of the business ultimately selling the operation many years later. He loved the theatre business and as you will read helped many kids learn how to work.

Eventually Pat founded PR Services, publishing maps and books with clients up and down the Alaska Highway where he travelled for many years. Pat’s map books were also published in Kelowna affording him time to spend back home and taking our Mom on delivery trips to Penticton. Pat sold that business and semi-retired after many years.

By all accounts Pat donated his time and money to many worthwhile recipients and organizations in Whitehorse and was considered a pillar of the community.

Pat was able to take over the management of our parent’s affairs as they aged in place, recruiting a broad range of caregivers; two of whom remained as his caregivers until his death.

Our parents both passed away in their home built for them in 1958 on Angus Drive in Westbank. The care they were given was exceptional with Pat managing every detail through to their passing of Dad in 2011 and Mom in 2012.

Yukon Remembrances Pat loved his Twin Cinema days, and would beam when talking about his staff that worked there over the years, and some of the kids that grew up in the arcade days. He knew all the kids by name and would see them years later and comment on how they had grown.

He was very disciplined and could achieve almost anything he set his mind to.

Pat looked forward each fall to his house on the island of Kauai. He played baseball with the locals and he would meet friends he had made over the years and play golf with them on the course close to his house. He always said the one consistent part about golf was that it’s very difficult to become better at it but really easy to get worse. He absolutely loved to travel around the Yukon on his distribution trips so he could reconnect with the many friendships he accomplished over the years.

Pat was a private man in many ways, but he was certainly not quiet. He was there to help you if you needed it and support you if you needed it. He liked to help those in need, but usually anonymously.

Mostly, he will be remembered as a gentle, kind-hearted salesman who could, over an hour chat, sell you pretty much anything he had in his bag that day.

He was passionate about the Yukon and, especially, the Yukoners he had met over the years. In his later years, he became obsessed with golf and his trips to Kelowna and Kauai.

He will certainly be missed by all his friends, acquaintances, business associates and customers

Pat’s wishes were for no memorial services of any kind with his ashes spread in Gellately Bay, West Kelowna and Miles Canyon in Whitehorse, and Brenneke Beach in Poipu, Hawaii.

Rest in peace my brother.

Comments (9)

Larry Betuzzi on May 6, 2024 at 5:14 pm

Hi Rick,
I offer my sincere condolences on the passing of Pat. I moved away from the Yukon in 1983 but I have very fond memories of interacting with you and Pat while living there.
I recall the time when you invited Vera and I for supper at your house in Whitehorse shortly after Vera and I met.
The other time was during the Stanley Cup Playoffs where we all gathered at Pat’s trailer to watch a game between Boston & Montreal.
I always enjoyed my interactions with Pat.
RIP my friend.

Yukon56 on May 1, 2024 at 4:21 pm

Hot cars hot stereos back in the day bought an album every payday at Kellys

Doug Caldwell on Apr 30, 2024 at 11:09 am

Condolences to you and your family Rick. After reading your obituary for Pat my memory flooded with many situations of working with you both and the crew at Kelly's. The road trips to Faro for the product shows and the staff parties we all enjoyed.
The hot air balloon event in the Qwanlin mall parking lot was a special day for me. Arriving for work that day Pat said your job today is to assist the fellow with operating his balloon. It was a terrific Sansui promotion and the short lift in the tethered balloon was enjoyed by all who took a ride.
Making the extra effort to please our customers was a credo for the store and I learned much about delivering quality customer service there. I was happy and proud being a part of the Kelly's team.
I also bought a lot of advertising from PR Services while I was with government so Pat and I did have some continued contact later in our lives.
Best wishes to you and yours. Be well!

Bryan on Apr 29, 2024 at 5:33 pm

Pat was a very good guy and always very friendly. When I worked at CIBC as a commercial teller, I could always count on a smile and a little chat with Pat every single week. He was one of my favorite clients and we'll all miss him so dearly.

Nick Veres on Apr 29, 2024 at 3:59 pm

After we built our house on Hyland Cres in 1977, we had some $$ left over with our interim financing & Pat was able to relieve us of all the excess and ended up with an outstanding Akai sound system. Rick and family we are sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. He was one of those people who made a difference and we will never forget him.

Sharon Smith on Apr 28, 2024 at 11:01 am

Pat was a client at CIBC for many years when I worked there. He was one of our favorite clients especially the Commercial Teller, as he never got angry about wait times. Just a nice guy! RIP

Linda, Fred and Erika McNeill on Apr 27, 2024 at 3:46 pm

So very sorry to hear of Patrick. He was a lot of fun in High School, usually in trouble and a terrific drummer. While we lived in Faro we often visited with Patrick and he showed us how to truly enjoy ‘Rendezvous’ in the late 70’s. Then he showed us how to buy stereo equipment!! What a great support he was while I was in Whitehorse having our daughter. It seemed like everyone in Whitehorse knew him as well as the Territory. We were happy to see him a few years ago and he proudly showed off the new Whitehorse as we had not been back for many years. He had many lovely girlfriends over the years but never settled down for whatever reasons. He will sure be missed. Our condolences to Rick and all the family.

Caroline Bell on Apr 27, 2024 at 9:21 am

Hello, Rick, so sad to hear of Pat's passing. Hope you and family are all doing as well as possible and remembering. My memory fails so I can't remember if Bernie or I (or Pat!) ever passed on to you our 'fun times' together, but I hope he did enjoy our trailer and car, which he bought in 1978 I believe, when we moved to Vancouver. Anyway he was a great, fun-loving guy who got the most out of life, wasn't he. Who knows, he and Bernie may well be up there together sharing a time or two. Take good care, and blessings to you and your family.

Roxanne on Apr 26, 2024 at 4:51 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss Rick. I remember you both at Kelly's Stereo Mart and Pat sold me my very first stereo (Akai). Huge stereo for a tiny bachelor apartment. LOL. and yes, Pat talked me into it. Good times for sure. You take care Rick.

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