Our beloved brother, Patrick Mikula, passed away peacefully on Sunday July 5,
2020 in Tampa Florida. Patrick was born in 1950 in Erie PA growing up in a large,
extended family. He was a compassionate, loving and generous man who laughed
easily and often. He was at his best in the company of friends or loved ones, sharing
stories, memories and laughter.
Patrick’s passion was being on the water and he learned to sail with friends on
Lake Erie. He was thrilled to be a part of their crews on long-distance sailing races
on the Great Lakes. He once restored a large vessel for a friend in Florida. They
then piloted that boat from the Gulf of Mexico up the Inland Coastal, through the St.
Lawrence and across the Great Lakes to Michigan. Patrick liked to say “I’m a boat guy.”
The water was his happy place.
Patrick was proud to be part of the U.S. Air Force Security Service and served
in Okinawa, Japan and Cheyenne, WY (rank Sergeant). He earned a B.A. in Criminal
Justice, and for 15 years served the City of Erie as a Firefighter and member of the
Rescue Squad. Patrick did commercial and residential general contracting projects for
two decades. He was also an Account Rep at National Fuel and worked in commercial
real estate.
Patrick is survived by siblings Norma Kalie and husband Jim, James Mikula and
wife Jennifer, Mary Lou Mikula, Raymund Mikula and wife Pat, many neices, nephews
and great-neices and nephews, and many friends. Predeceased by brother Daniel
Mikula and his wife Laura Mikula Lyons.
No service due to the pandemic. At Patrick’s request his ashes will be returned
to the sea.
4 Comments
Jim Mikula
It is with great sadness that we are saying goodbye to my brother Patrick. No matter how difficult his life had become he always tried to be cheerful and he always loved life. The many years of times together as a family, laughing and telling the same stories again and again, will forever be the image burned in my mind and heart. You will always be loved my brother. Always in our hearts.
Mary Lou Mikula
Well said, Jim. Even as a little boy, Patrick would giggle. We all laughed together — a lot. Through his best years he had strength and courage for dealing with life. In his later years he still enjoyed meeting new people, cooking for them, showing compassion, and offering friendship. Sail away, Paddy – we will meet again in future.
Mary Lou Mikula
Sail Away Paddy Boy to the open sea. We love you and will miss you.
DAN ANDERSON
I knew Patrick while stationed at Warren AFB, 809th Security Police Squadron. He was always the one who would remain calm in times many would have become stressed. His police skills at this time were remarkable, but he spent more time being accurate in his assessments of issues he had been dealing with.
Sadly, another being of my age has gone to the great unknown. Thanks for helping a fellow airman out in his time of need, young sir!