It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Patrick in his home in Chanhassen, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family on May 23, 2024, at the age of 72.

Pat was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 5, 1952, the son of Stephen and Frances Pavelko. Pat grew up in a loving home with his brothers: Steve, Jr. and Mark, and his sister: Sharon. Much of Pat’s childhood revolved around sports. So much so that he and his brothers would play basketball in an alley in the winter, and would go back inside to run the basketball under warm water just so that the ball would bounce higher, so they could play longer.

Pat attended St. Joan of Ark Elementary School, DeLaSalle High School, and the University of St. Thomas. He was especially grateful for his catholic education, and he was extremely thankful for all the wonderful friends he made during his school years.

Pat was a standout athlete in high school and college. At DeLaSalle, Pat played quarterback on the football team, point guard on the basketball team, and shortstop on the baseball team. He was a natural leader who his teammates gravitated towards. During his senior year of high school, Pat led the football team to a 7-1 record and was named All-Conference Honorable Mention. In 2021, Pat was inducted into the DeLaSalle Athletics Hall of Fame.

At St. Thomas, Pat was the star quarterback of the football team. In 1974, Pat led the Tommies to a tie for the MIAC Championship. Pat used to joke that a Minnesota Vikings scout came to watch one of his practices. After the scout clocked his 40-yard dash time, Pat never heard from the scout again.

After school, Pat stayed involved in sports through coaching. Pat coached football at Edina West High School, where he helped the team win the State Championship in 1978. He also coached football at Eden Prairie High School, where he helped the team win the State Championship in 2000.

Pat’s favorite coaching memories, however, came from coaching his children. First, there was Sarah. Frustrated that middle school girls often cried during his basketball practices, his wife, Kathy, had to remind Pat that, for some girls, practice was more about the social aspect than the competition. Next, was Michael. In addition to coaching Mike in basketball, Pat’s favorite coaching years occurred when Michael played football at Eden Prairie. Some of Pat’s favorite memories were spending late Friday nights watching Kare 11 Prep Sports Extra Highlights and breaking down film for next week's opponent. Finally, John. Probably with some of his best coaching, Pat coached a ragtag bunch of middle schoolers from St. Hubert into a polished basketball team that could still run the “green” and “white” offense to this day.

In addition to coaching, Pat worked at Emery Worldwide and Lakeshore Equipment. However, his most important job was being Mr. Mom. Some of Pat’s best work as a Dad came when Mom was flying on a trip.  There were countless times where Kathy would come home from a trip and, for example, Dad had ripped out the carpet in John’s bedroom so the boys could dribble a basketball better on hardwood floor. Or the time Mom went on a three-day trip and Pat had a basketball court built in the backyard. Usually a few hours before Mom got home on a trip, Dad would always say to Sarah, Mike, and John, “Okay kids, time to put the house back together!”

Pat was happily married to his wife, Kathy, for 35 years. Always the romantic, Pat usually thought date night meant taking Kathy to a sporting event. On their first date, Pat took Kathy to a Minnesota Twins game. Kathy says she should have known what she was getting into from the beginning! One year, for their anniversary, Kathy wanted to go to Nantucket. After one day, Pat got bored, so he brought Kathy down to Boston for a Red Sox game—where she ate a hotdog at the ballpark for their anniversary dinner. Despite his propensity for sports, Pat and Kathy had a long, loving marriage filled with many wonderful smiles, laughs, and memories.

Holidays were always a special time for Pat. On the Fourth of July, Pat would hype everyone up for a big whiffle ball game. Family and friends—even random kids from the neighborhood—would all gather in the backyard to listen to Pat hoot and holler as he whizzed whiffle balls to home plate. During Thanksgiving and Christmas, after the table was cleared, Pat could be found dealing cards for the infamous “Screw Your Neighbor” game. Affectionately known as “Pat the Cheater,” he often refused to shuffle the cards in an effort to speed up the game, yet he had a way of sending Aces to the far end of the table, while keeping the best card, The King, for himself.

When not coaching, working, or taking care of his kids, Pat could be found on the golf course. Pat enjoyed golfing with his friends at Hiawatha, Dwan, Bearpath, Minnetonka Country Club, Chaska Town Course, and anywhere “America’s Guest” was invited. The leader and organizer of the “Braggers Cup,” he gathered many of his friends on an annual basis to share laughs and memories on the golf course for a few days in Northern Minnesota every fall. His favorite golf group, however, was his family. He spent countless hours on the course, range, and putting green with Sarah, Mike, and John—and even convinced Kathy to play with him every now and then.

While watching this most recent PGA Championship on TV with John, Pat recalled two of his most memorable rounds of golf. First, was his best round ever: an even par 72 at Minnetonka Country Club. He played with John and his good friend, Ed Morimoto, who he claimed he took for “hundreds” that day. Second, was the last time he beat John. He knew the exact round: “Interlachen. John was going into college. He shot 79. I shot 78.” Even on his death bed, Pat was chirping.

In his later years, Pat cherished being a grandfather to Matthew, Tommy, Sophia, and Will. Affectionately known as “Pappy,” he loved playing card games like “SlapJack” with Matthew and Tommy, playing the board game “Hi-Ho-Cherry-O” with his “girl” Sophia, and quacking like a duck with Will.

For the last twelve years of his life, Pat put up a valiant fight against cancer. He was especially thankful and appreciative of the doctors, nurses and staff at Ridgeview Hospital in Waconia, his oncologist Dr. Hugec, and, most importantly, his urologist, Dr. Eugene Kwon. Without Dr. Kwon, Pat would have never lived as long as he did while battling cancer. Pat’s family is forever grateful to Dr. Kwon.

Simply put, Pat’s energy was electric, and his positive attitude was contagious. His children often joked that when they went out in public, “If Dad didn’t know you, he’d get to know you.” It did not matter whether Pat was mad, sick, or feeling down, when asked how he was doing he would respond with his patented, “Top of the World!” He had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel welcome. Pat was a wonderful husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. He loved, and was loved by, so many. He will be dearly missed.

Published on June 9, 2024