Patrick Joseph “Pop” Begley, 79, of Mahwah, formerly of Ramsey, NJ, passed peacefully on January 18, 2021. Pat was the beloved husband of Linda for over 54 years, and a loving father to Pamela and husband Richard Wiener of Newport, OR, Patrick Begley Jr. and wife Julie of Upstate New York, and Melissa and husband Berndt Guglberger of Allendale, NJ. Pop was an adoring grandfather to Alexander, Brielle, Jeneca, Shane, Katelin, Emma and Olivia. His loving mother, Bessie Louise Begley, and his dear brother Alexander “Mickey” Begley and wife Candace also survive Patrick. His father, Alexander Begley, preceded him in death.
Pat worked his way up through the ranks at the New York Stock Exchange, from a page to a successful stockbroker on the trading floor in a career that spanned 38 years. He graduated from Curtis High School, Staten Island, NY, lettering in basketball while there. A gifted athlete, he pursued his love for football as the star running back, #35, on the semi-pro team, The Plainsmen, on Staten Island. It was at this time he met Linda - the love of his life and so began their many decades of love and life together. Patrick was a proud patriot and veteran. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1960, was based in Nova Scotia; and on “stand by” during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Pat and Linda were married in 1966, and moved to Ramsey in 1970 with toddlers Pam and Pat Jr., with Melissa coming the next year. As a member of the Ramsey Community, Pat enjoyed many years of coaching with the Ramsey Recreation Commission, especially coaching the Robins in Little League.
An avid hunter and fisherman he enjoyed many trips to Canada fishing for salmon and hunting caribou, as well as many years hunting deer in Upstate NY. Pat was a nationally ranked amateur trap shooter crisscrossing the U.S. to compete at the highest levels and winning awards. It was quite evident to all who knew Pat that he was a very proud Irishman… “as Irish as Paddy’s Pig!” He loved celebrating his heritage on St. Patrick’s Day indulging in corned beef and cabbage, Linda’s soda bread, and music from the Old Sod. He was honored to share his Catholic faith with those he loved, serving many years as a lector at St. Paul’s R. C. Church, and as a team member in Cursillo and Cornerstone.
A devoted grandfather, he often attended his grandchildren’s school events, ball games, concerts and especially delighted in taking them out for ice cream. Anyone who knew Pat Begley knew him as an honest, stand-up guy who lived by the motto “My word is my bond.” Pat began each morning with a commitment to staying connected to those he loved, texting to each a positive message that always ended …TYGFAD, “Thank you God for another day!” For several years Pat valiantly struggled with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), a rare and incurable condition that progressively weakens the upper body and leg muscles. His loving family is grateful for all of the years that they shared.
Memorial donations may be made in Pat’s name to the Peter Frampton Myositis Research Fund. Donations may be mailed to: The Johns Hopkins Myositis Center Development Office, Mason F. Lord Building, Center Tower, Suite 358, 5200 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224 or donations can be made online at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/frampton
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