Patrick Joseph Nolan
Patrick Joseph Nolan (2009 in Alaska)
Patrick Joseph Nolan, born on December 1, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan died peacefully on August 31, 2025, in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 71. He lived a life rich in dedication, adventure, and unwavering love for his family and community.
To us, he was Pat, Papa, Dad – a man whose presence was a constant source of strength, joy, and inspiration. He faced his diagnosis of Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), a rare and progressive neurological disease, with extraordinary courage, grace, and dignity. Though the illness gradually took away many physical abilities, it never touched his spirit. As an always present fixture at Nolan and Josie’s sporting events, school functions and family get-togethers before and during his battle with CBD, his resilience was a quiet testament to the strength of his character and the depth of his love for those around him.
Patrick’s life was also a testament to his adventurous spirit and his incredible work ethic. A master electrician and the proud owner of Greenwood Phinney Electric for over 30 years, he left his mark on the infrastructure of Seattle and beyond. Prior to owning his business, he was part of the crew that wired many significant projects in Seattle, Washington State, and Alaska, including the Seattle bus tunnel and serving as the primary electrician for St. John School and Parish. He received his electrical apprentice training at North Seattle Community College and also attended Wayne State University. His passion for learning extended to woodworking, which he honed at a specialized school in Norway.
Beyond his professional achievements, Patrick was a true outdoorsman and athlete. He was a dedicated marathon runner, completing the Seattle Goodwill Games, Portland, and Seattle Marathons. His love for the mountains led him to successfully climb Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Baker. He was also a passionate coach for basketball, cross country, and track and field, guiding and inspiring young athletes. His hobbies included fly fishing, woodworking, softball, and basketball, and he was an avid sports fan, cheering passionately for both Seattle and Detroit teams.
More than his accomplishments, Patrick will be remembered for his extraordinary character. He was devoted, dedicated, reliable, kind, loving, and fun. He truly put family first, always, and was focused in the moment on what was important. He was adventurous, a true role model, resilient, fair, and deeply empathetic to others. He was a friend to anyone he met, and his quiet strength and unwavering integrity left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Patrick is survived by his wife, Lynn Kelly Nolan, who stood by him with unwavering love and support. He was the cherished father of Kelly Daniels, and her husband, Joel Daniels. His legacy lives on through his adored grandchildren, Nolan and Josie Daniels, who knew him as the most amazing Papa, always ready with a smile, a quiet word of encouragement, or an adventure.
He was a loving brother to Bernadine Nolan, Colleen Nolan, Frances Nolan Jackson and Michael Nolan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Xavier and Kathryn Nolan, and his brother, Mark Nolan. Patrick was also a beloved uncle, cousin, and a mentor and friend to countless others whose lives he touched.
He was, quite simply, the best and most devoted dad and grandpa one could ask for. His guidance, his humor, and his unconditional love shaped us into the people we are today. We will miss his quiet presence, his wise counsel, and his infectious smile more than words can say.
A memorial service to celebrate Patrick’s remarkable life will be held at St John’s Catholic Church on November 8th at 11:00am with a celebration of his life immediately following in Egan Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Pat Nolan Memorial Fund at St. John Catholic School, benefiting student athletics in his memory.
St John Catholic School
120 N 79th St.
Seattle, WA 98103
st-johnschool.org/giving/give-to-st-john
He may be gone from our sight, but his spirit, his love, and his incredible legacy will live in our hearts forever.
6 Responses to “Patrick Joseph Nolan”
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Pat was a gentleman and all around nice guy. I’m sure all that knew him will agree. He will be missed by all those who knew him from Alaska and beyond.
We knew Pat (and Lynn and Kelly) through St. John’s in the 80’s/90’s when Kelly and our son Todd were students there. He was our son’s basketball coach; he led the “second team” of players to a championship in their division. He also coached cross country and made running the hills of Lower Woodland fun for them by adding in games of tag, etc. to their training. He was always really patient with the kids.
We also knew Pat as an electrician who did many small repair jobs for our then 60 year old Ballard home. He knew creative fixes to any problem we were having.
His family, friends, the Greenwood community and St. John’s family have lost a great man.
Bob and Sharie
I will miss watching sports with Papa and playing catch. I’m glad I got to spend time with him. I will miss him. He will always be in my heart.
Pat was a consistent fixture to the street & neighborhood in which I grew up(79th). He lived on the same street as my parents one block to the West. He would walk, jog, and regularly push the grandchildren down to the library, always having time for conversation. He often would visit with HONDO to shoot the breeze & would bring the grandkids up for an impromptu visi to get a sucker. I bonded with Pat through basketball. He helped keep the old men’s night at St John’s alive. We later had a men’s league, he and I were representatives of family and neighborhood teams as well as a few others.
Pat rewired my parents home after a fire, the electrical for a job I had contracted, also did wiring at my home. He was always Fair & he employed, trained a handful of young men from the neighborhood that also played basketball for my dad.
He had a sneaky smile with a quick wit, devoted Detroit sports fan. I instantly missed his presence since his diagnosis. I walked around the block with him once as he kept on pushing with ski poles for balance.
He was a loving family man & definitely loved being a grandpa. Anticipating the growth of his grandchildren he had me install some artificial turf for him in his backyard to increase the play Space.
I have missed & will forever miss his acknowledgment while walking by, trading a few words, saying something funny & until we see each other again. I picture him out on a walk exploring new territories in heaven:-) Bless the family and thanks Pat for being a friend.
-Rory McGibbon
I met Pat during our first Cross Country season at Redford High School in Detroit. Our older brothers were on the team so we took it as a rite of passage. We grew closer through distance runs on the streets and straining through endless workouts on the school track.
Pat had a restless spirit and he worked selling newspapers earning enough to finally buy a used car shortly after we got our licenses. Whether we ran, played basketball at the park or spent an afternoon playing three on three touch football we always stayed in motion and mostly Pat’s ‘ride’ got us there.
I visited Pat when he attended Wayne State. We had a lot of laughs with friends sharing early memories and Pat enjoyed talking about travel, camping and fishing as he worked his way through the first year of college.
Pat introduced me to his new girlfriend Lynn in the mid 70’s and I could tell he was head over heels for her right away. Their lives dovetailed as they shared enthusiasm for outdoor adventure. Pat & Lynn came to my parent’s house with their dog shortly before they left for Alaska. I envied their commitment to embrace a new stage in their lives.
Pat’s pioneer spirit and love of family was evident throughout his life. Lynn having Kelly and later blessed with two grandchildren were the pinnacle of Pat’s life. I could always feel Pat’s trademark smile and warmth in his voice as he spoke of them.
Rest easy Pat, you took some big swings at life and your accomplishments were many and impressive. Your legacy will be lasting and I will always be proud to have called you my friend.
Pat was an awesome coach in Basketball at St. John’s School for a group of second string players. He lead them to a successful season with constant support and recognition.
Pat helped us wire our home basement always finding ways to make it simpler and easier.
In his passion for sports we had many great years of men’s basketball for both young and aging athletes. He will remain in our hearts as a warm and friendly presence always with a chuckle and laugh.
We already miss you Pat!
Joe Giampietro