Douglas J Patry

WICHITA -  Douglas J. Patry, 66, passed away, July 21, 2015, at his summer home in Winter Park, Colorado.  He was born February 4, 1949, to Albert J. and Mary Eloise (Burgat) Patry in Goessel, Kansas.  He was the third of four children.  Doug attended grade school in Florence, Kansas, and in Indiana, before returning to Florence, where he graduated from Florence High School.  He then attended Emporia State University where he graduated in 1971, with a degree in Business Administration.  Doug’s professional career began as a mail carrier in El Dorado, Kansas, prior to assuming the role of Postmaster at the offices in Whitewater, Halstead, and Wellington, respectively before retiring in 2008.  He remained actively connected to the USPS Postmaster community and regularly attended the annual convention.  Aside from work, Doug was actively involved in the Catholic Church.  He was baptized at St. Patrick’s Church in Florence, where he also received his first communion on May 12, 1957, and later was confirmed.  He was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Wichita, but in his final years regularly attended St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Wichita.  Doug loved to spend time with family and adored his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children.  Given the proximity to his nephews, Brandon and Corey, he was simply referred to by their children as “Uncle Doug” and fulfilled many of the roles of a grandparent, such as transporting, babysitting and taking part in their activities.  His family extended will beyond those bonded by blood to his friends of which there were many.  Dining out, traveling or just stopping by made Doug’s day bright.  While his international itinerary was not complete, he was blessed to travel to countries such as Brazil, Ireland and Israel just to name a few.  He loved spending his summers in Winter Park, Colorado, and enjoyed the constant visits by friends and family.  Always willing to lend a hand, Doug volunteered at the downtown YMCA, where he served on the board for several years.  In addition, he spent much time at the Kansas Food Bank preparing and delivering backpacks to children in need.  Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Eloise Patry; his sister and her husband Anne and Carl Cyr.  He is survived by his brother Charles and wife Donna Patry; a twin brother Don and wife Ellen Patry; his six nieces and nephews:  James and wife Dainne Cyr; Pamela Cyr Webber; Patty Cyr; Brandon and wife Katie Patry; Corey and wife Cindy Patry; and Sara Patry; as well as many cousins.  Doug will be dearly missed and always remembered with love for his easy smile and gift of conversation by all who were fortunate enough to know him. All services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church of Wichita, with the Rosary being held at 7 p.m., on Tuesday, and the Funeral Mass to be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 29, 2015.  Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m., at the Marion Cemetery in Marion.  A Memorial Fund has been established for the Kansas Food Bank in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm, Marion, KS, 66861.  Condolences may be left at www.zeinerfuneralhomes.com.