Lawrence F. Patterson
November
23,
2020
Lawrence F. Patterson, JD died on November 18, 2020 in the presence of his family. He is survived by his wife, Margaret (nee Melancon), his three daughters, Michelle (Michael Fitzpatrick), Danielle Balcer (Chris) and Nicolle Ollier (Danny), seven grandchildren (Nathaniel, Nolan, Audrey, and Jasper Ollier; Christopher, Jonathan, and Gideon Balcer), his brother Robert and sisters Margaret Coty and Virginia McRay. He was born on September 16, 1942 in Chicago to Bernard Patterson and Margaret (nee Wetherholt) and was the youngest of six children. He graduated Loyola Law School in 1967 and was a practicing attorney for nearly 40 years. The best word to describe Lawrence Patterson is devoted. He was devoted to his wife, Margaret. He was devoted to his daughters. He was devoted to his sons-in-law. He was devoted to his grandchildren. And he was devoted to God. Lawrence adored Margaret and thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world up until the day he died. She was his rock, and he was grateful for every day he spent with her. They married on July 7, 1973 after meeting just three months earlier – truly love at first sight. He sang Ave Maria at their wedding and spoke fondly of their honeymoon to Hawaii. He hoped they would return there someday. In the 47 years they were married, they were rarely apart. Lawrence was a wonderful father. There was never a time when he was too busy for his daughters. He came to every school performance, sporting event, band competition, theater production or any activity, big or small, without fail. He was always there for dinner and weekends and spent hours playing with them. He gave lots of hugs and was very affectionate and full of praise. He was proud of his three daughters and all they accomplished. And he was grateful they each found loving partners that he considered his sons. Lawrence was a proud and loving Papa to his seven grandchildren. He always made time to play with them, whether it was hide and seek or flying paper airplanes off his apartment balcony. Whenever he walked in, there would be shouts of, “PAPA!” as all the kids ran to hug him. And just like with his own girls, he was happy to be there for public events like baseball games and concerts and every life celebration with his beloved grandchildren. Lawrence loved the law and committed a significant part of his life to trying to help others as an attorney. Towards the end of his practice, he focused on elder law and advocating for people who couldn’t always fight for themselves. He didn’t define his success as an attorney by how much money he made, but by how many people he helped. And in that he was very successful. Maybe most important to Lawrence was his unwavering faith. As a lifelong Catholic, his faith was the center of his life and drove everything he did. He prayed the rosary daily and loved attending Mass. He believed with the faith of a child, purely and completely. His faith manifested itself in his kindness and compassion for others. Lawrence loved to laugh, even if it was only at his own, sometimes questionable jokes. He was genuinely emotional and honest about his feelings. He wasn’t perfect, but there was never any doubt that he wanted to be his best self for those he loved, even when that was really hard. He was a truly good man, and he will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no public service at this time. Lawrence’s family looks forward to a celebration of his life when everyone can gather again. He will be interred at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. Arrangements entrusted to Cappetta’s West Suburban Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Westmont. Info 630-852-8000 or www.westsuburbanfh.com