Donald Maurice Patrie, age 94, died peacefully in his sleep with his wife Carmen by his side on July 14, 2024. He was born on June 8, 1930 to Edith and William “Elra” Patrie of Washington, Kansas. Donald lived a long and fulfilling life with the church, a supportive wife, thriving family, loyal friends, a military career and many hobbies.

Donald is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Carmen Patrie and five children and their families: William (Jane) Patrie, Atlanta, GA; Jean Patrie Studwell, Weston, CT; Teresa (James) Conners, St. Louis, MO, Joann Patrie Missey, Colorado Springs, CO and Donald (Elizabeth) Patrie Jr., Winter Park, FL. Preceded in death, his eldest son Paul Patrie, Atlanta, GA. Donald was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He will be buried with full military honors on October 18, 2024 at 3:00 pm at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. A memorial mass was said for Donald on August 6, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Weston, CT.

He was raised with his younger sister, the late Joan Patrie Bennett, in Washington, a small town in north central Kansas, where Donald’s father Elra Patrie owned a small grocery and his mother Edith was a homemaker wife. Growing up during the Great Depression, the family often ate what wasn’t sold or given away. Don often joked he didn’t know cookies came in one piece and apples without worms!

After he was graduated from high school, he joined the Air Force in 1948 and traveled around Pacific air stations as a young Airman. His forthright friendliness and easygoing nature landed him better assignments, he said, because his sergeants and other soldiers liked him! While stationed at Clark Air Force Base, Manila, Philippines, he met and married his best friend’s sister, soulmate Carmen Magner.

Over the years Donald was stationed at 13 different Air Force bases during which time the couple raised six children and many Boston Terriers. He diligently attended night school and received his Bachelor’s in Education and attained the high NCO rank of Master Sergeant. Retiring from the Air Force in 1971, Don worked for the Veterans Administration hospitals for decades as canteen manager running food and store concessions in Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois and Florida.

Upon his second retirement, the Patries moved to Florida where Don enjoyed gardening, plastic airplane modeling with other veterans, traveling with Carmen and exploring his ancestry. The highlight of Don’s genealogy quest came in 2008 when he traveled to Canada to meet his French Canadian cousins from over 300 years ago, having traced his mother’s Desruisseaux ancestry back to 1679.

Don was a man of faith, an active participant in the Catholic Church his whole life. He was a proud patriot and supported his countrymen. He was an optimist and smiled and laughed often.

Donald and Carmen moved to Weston in 2018 from their home in Palm Bay, Florida where they had lived for 40-plus years.

We miss him. We are comforted by the fact he is at peace with The Lord. Condolences may be sent to Carmen Patrie, 15 Fern Valley Road, Weston, CT 06883.