Patrick "Pat" Michael Loonam

Patrick Michael Loonam, a 19-year resident of SeaScape, in Holden Beach, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on November 2nd at the age of 86. He was in hospice with family in Lexington, South Carolina, after complications stemming from a stroke in early October. Pat was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Patricia (Patty), in 2021. They met and married in Freeport, New York. Pat is survived by his three children, Tim, Kerry, and Jean; two grandchildren, Jack and Katie, and a great-granddaughter, Quinn. Of his six brothers and sisters, Pat is survived by an older brother, John (Jack) and his extended family.

Pat was born to a working-class, Irish family in Freeport, NY, and graduated from Holy Redeemer High School.  After serving in the U.S. Navy as an aviation electronics technician which he began his civilian career in the aerospace industry and retired as an aircraft maintenance manager from United Airlines after 30+ years of service. Very few things gave Pat more pleasure than working on the flight line surrounded by the smells of jet fuel and the whine of turbine engines. He received special recognition and several service awards including one from the president of United Airlines for ‘duty above and beyond’ where he received chemical burns saving several aircraft during an accidental fuel leak. Throughout his career, Pat was a strong proponent for labor unions and received awards from the Machinists Union.

Pat and Patty were very proud of and bragged on their children and grandchildren, and they loved hosting the family together over the Holidays were ‘Gramps’ was famous for his spaghetti sauce, Italian dishes, and massive breakfasts complete with ‘face pancakes’. During their marriage they built beautiful homes and gardens in New York, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, and a hobby horse farm in Virginia. After Pat retired, they enjoyed traveling, especially cruises, and did their best to see the entire world.

Pat holds a special place in the hearts of the residents of SeaScape, a community he loved in Holden Beach, North Carolina where Pat and Patty were among the first homeowners. At SeaScape, Pat served tirelessly for over 15 years as the Facilities Manager for the homeowner’s association. He was known as ‘Mr. Friday Night’ where he welcomed all residents, new and old, to the weekly Friday night social gatherings in the community. Pat also took the ‘Secret Santa’ concept to new levels as for years he would sneak out late at night in his golf cart, often accompanied by his grandchildren, and deliver anonymous gifts throughout SeaScape for all the major holidays.

At Pat’s request there will be no funeral services and asks that everyone celebrate his and his wife’s life in the Irish tradition of toasting them and remembering joyful times together.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Pat and Patty’s name to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/give) or the Honor Flight for Veterans (www.honorflight.org/donate), two organizations they were both passionate about.  Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lexington Chapel is assisting the family.

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