Services Set For Timothy Patterson, Brick Stars Hockey Coach

Funeral services have been set for Tuesday for Timothy P. Patterson of Manchester, who played a key role in helping to establish the Brick Stars Challenger Hockey program for children with special needs. He died Friday at the age of 56 after a battle with cancer, according to his obituary on the Olivierie Funeral Home site.

“Our Brick Stars are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved coach and friend, Tim Patterson. Tim was a coach with our Stars since its inception and remained our travel and practice coach throughout his battle with cancer,” wrote Alex DePalma, who founded the Brick Stars program in the Brick Hockey Club in 2009, on the organization’s Facebook page. “Tim will be missed by all the Stars’ players and their families. He will be fondly remembered for his kindness, generosity, patience, leadership and loyal friendship.”

Patterson was “an amazing guy. A giving individual and nowhere did that show more than with all he gave to the Brick Stars,” Ed Yasser wrote on Facebook. “Thank you, every Star is better for it. We’ll miss you.”

Patterson worked in architectural woodworking for Patterson Woodworking in Berkeley Township for 30 years, and was a member of St Justin’s Church, Toms River. But according to posts on Facebook, his love of the Brick Stars and his impact on so many will never be forgotten, whether it was through high-fiving players in greeting or simply making them feel like they, too, had a home on the ice.

“God bless, Coach Tim. It was a joy to know you,” wrote Dona Yasser. “Sundays won’t be the same without you sipping coffee, putting your bare feet into your skates, and betting how long it would take Evan to get out of the locker room. Thank you for everything.”

“Coach Tim was an inspiration, mentor and a joy to watch with our kids,” Nancy Ann Calise Cameron wrote. ”After years of watching Brick HS hockey, Joe was finally able to play ice hockey and have his own hockey coach for himself. He loved Coach Tim and I loved watching him coach Joe and all the other players. Joe and I will truly miss him and will be praying for his family.”

Patterson was “an amazing guy. A giving individual and nowhere did that show more than with all he gave to the Brick Stars,” Ed Yasser wrote on Facebook. “Thank you, every Star is better for it. We’ll miss you.”

Patterson was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., and lived in Toms River for 30 years before moving to Manchester two years ago.

Surviving is his wife of 33 years, Veronica (Heron) Patterson; daughters: Heather Robison and her husband, William of Toms River, and Jennifer Patterson, of Bayville; siblings: Nancy Cusano of Ossining, NY, Michael Patterson, of Colts Neck, Linda Patterson, of Connecticut, Megan Broderick of Connecticut and Tom Patterson, of White Plains, NY; grandchildren Tim, Chelsea and Luke; and his in laws: James & Veronica Heron, of Waretown.

Visitation is Tuesday 4 to 8 p.m. with services at 7:30 p.m. at Oliverie Funeral Home, 2925 Ridgeway Rd, Manchester. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Brick Stars Challenger Hockey, PO Box 1737, Brick NJ 08723. For directions or to send online condolences, visit www.oliveriefuneralhome.com.

(Photo of Tim Patterson coaching hockey used by permission of Brick Stars Challenger Hockey and the Patterson family.)