Patrick Murray

Patrick was the Head of Lower School in the early 90's at Cathedral School for Boys when I beccame the first Director of Admission. I had to start from scratch to put together a program and process That was the beginning of our long friendship. He helped me immensely as I grew into my role, and we worked together for the remainder of the years he was there. The lovely outcome was that we kept connected after he left, and then, when I retired 15 years later and moved to Oregon in 2005, we still kept connected! We would call each other on our birthdays which were just a week apart, and each year these conversations told the other stories of the year past. I was able to track how he began to have more and more difficulty, and wished I could have been closer to be able to help. Patrick was so loving, caring and kind, and a wonderful teacher and guide to so many! I cherished our friendship and his continuing to sustain it with me all those years we were apart. May his journey into Light and Love be filled with blessings. Dottie

I am not sure if I can find the exact words that could accurately describe the wonderful friendship I have shared with Patrick for 50 years. I am profoundly grateful for having shared so many memories and conversations with him. He was remarkable..... simply remarkable.
I met Patrick after he began a relationship with one of my closest friends in life, Bob Bryan. They were a great team in so many ways and Bob was over-the-moon happy when Patrick moved from Victoria Canada to move in with Bob. I lived in Colorado and met Patrick for the first time on one of my visits to their home on Fair Oak in San Francisco. It was clearly evident what Bob had been sharing with me on our many phone conversations. Patrick was incredibly handsome, charming, bright, loved a good conversation and, like Bob, was a voracious reader. Both Bob and Patrick had an infectious laugh and it was impossible not to join in when they started. As life unfolded and they navigated the ending of their relationship I was fortunate to maintain a relationship with both of them. And, over the years Patrick would visit me in Colorado and would spend some Christmases at my home in Seattle. We shared so many phone calls, often talking about books and dogs (two of his favorite topics) and yes, sports. There are way too many stories to try and share here but the following are some of the values he shared over the many years of knowing him:
He loved his sister Carol and loved their late night conversations and felt so loved by her
Patrick loved being in relationship
He loved Stanford football
His English team was Chelsea
He loved dancing (and he was a terrific dancer) We would often talk about many disco songs he loved dancing to "I Caught your act", "Instant Replay", Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel"
He loved dogs
He loved books (He would read ALL of the Booker Prize nominees)
He loved a good film
He absolutely loved working with his students and was such a dedicated educator
The relationship with so many staff members at Grace Cathedral School and especially his relationship with Dana, touched his heart deeply
I will miss our conversations and your loving heart Patrick. May you be dancing and laughing and holding as many dogs in your arms as possible.

I feel profoundly blessed to have known Patrick. I met Patrick and Chuck in 1983 (or maybe 1984), when we were all young bucks living in San Francisco. Looking back, I remember being drawn to Patrick like a moth to a flame. He was warm, kind, and incredibly handsome.
Our friendship continued after Chuck died, but time and distance eventually pulled us apart. I’m grateful we were able to reconnect a few years ago.
It’s difficult to put into words the sadness of knowing he is no longer here. But if there is a heaven, I can picture Patrick there at the 50-yard line, cheering on his brother angels with that same bright spirit that drew so many of us to him in the first place.
I will keep him in my heart, always.

I had the privilege of working with Patrick when I was teaching in my 30s, and he was truly the best Lower School Head a teacher could hope for—kind, thoughtful, and deeply supportive. Patrick brought so much light to his students and coworkers. I only worked with him for a short time before he had to step away from his role, but his presence and memory have remained strong in my mind. I’m deeply grateful that our paths crossed. His warm spirit will always bring a smile to my face. Rest in peace, dear Patrick.