PALM SPRINGS, CA: Our beloved uncle, brother, son, friend and partner Gerald Joseph Patrick passed away peacefully on March 21st surrounded by beauty and love at his home in Palm Springs, California. Jerry was born in Westfield, Massachusetts on May 23, 1942. He was born into the spirited, close knit Patrick clan and was one of 7 children. His childhood was filled with shenanigans and laughter growing up on Prospect Hill. He attended Westfield public schools, but Jerry’s life and star were meant for greatness in the world. He packed up his car, headed out to California, where he became a renowned and admired artist and designer. Jerry had an inherent and wonderful artistic talent, an eye for design, and his life’s work was putting beautiful things into the world. He began his career by selling his pottery designs on the streets of Los Angeles and was soon discovered by an art buyer, this led to nationwide distribution of his work in high end department stores.
He evolved his trade and skill over time based on what spoke to and interested him. He was truly a gifted and creative soul. He moved on to blown glass creation, which appeared in several museums. His career continued to move along, as well as his success from humble beginnings, and he began designing flatware and silverware over the years for the likes of Dansk, Mikasa, Cambridge, Waterford and others. He became a highly respected and sought-after designer in the industry. Jerry had a deep appreciation for beauty and gained his inspiration for his work through multiple sources, but his travels and visiting interesting places played a key role in his artwork. He traveled to places that most of us can only dream of including The Great Wall of China, Egypt, he rode the Blue Train in Africa, went on safaris, took family sailing trips, to name just a few. He was always planning amazing, decadent, dream provoking trips.
Always one to be inspired, Jerry began to express himself through painting and the creation of exhibition quality architectural pieces in his mid-seventies when most of us are slowing down. His curiosity and creativity took many forms over his lifetime. His paintings, mostly acrylics and oils, were brash in their use of color and form and electrifying to experience from any angle. Jerry had a wicked sense of humor and a bent towards mischievous behavior. The mischievous, youthful nature remained throughout his lifetime and into his last days. He will be remembered and loved for his talent, his appreciation of good wine, food and for seeing and understanding the beauty in life as well as a keen sensitivity for understanding people.
He is predeceased by his mother Catherine (Kuzel) Patrick, his father, Stephen Patrick, his sisters Dianne Kalesnik and Bertha “Patsy” Werth, his brothers Steven “Patty”, Ed, and John. His brother Richard remains in Westfield. He has many cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews and he played a unique role in each of their lives in his own special way. He was surrounded by key friends, mentors and partners throughout his life including John Beeston, Murray Heath and his “bar” friends. He leaves his partner Rex Strom and his beloved dog Frida in Palm Springs. Jerry’s legacy remains through the beautiful art he put into the world during his lifetime. He will be greatly missed, but if there is a wonderful way to live a life, Jerry lived it.
