Howard R. Patch ... brother of Ronal Patch

VALRICO, Fla. - Howard R. Patch, known and loved by many as "Patch" and by childhood friends and family as "Sonny," passed away at his winter home at 9:25 a.m. on June 13, 2014, in Valrico.

Born September 25, 1937, he was 76 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Dee L. Patch, they have shared the last 27 years together, his three children, Cindy Patch, H. Tomas Patch, and his wife Mary, Pam Mazzotti and her husband Luca, all of Florida; two stepdaughters, Kelley-Sue LeBlanc and Kristal Brotherton, both of New Hampshire; six grandchildren, Ashley Patch, David Patch, and Jerimiah Patch all of Florida, Cheyenne LeBlanc, Emerald Brotherton, and Kole Brotherton from New Hampshire; his four brothers and three sisters, Ronal Patch and his wife Lorraine, Armand Patch and his wife Sharon, Robert Patch and his wife Mary, Ethel Lizotte and her husband Ernie, all of Maine, Michael Patch and his wife Jill, Mary Jones, Sylvia Arcouette and her husband Ron, all of New Hampshire.

Patch served in the United States Air Force from 1956-1960. He worked for Dyer Sales and Machinery in North Reading, Mass., for 45 years where he was recognized for his sales achievements and his tenure with the company. Howard enjoyed being an avid outdoorsman and has been a member of the Woburn Sportsmen's Club and the ATA since 1977, as well as the Stoney Brook Fish and Game, among other New England organizations. Patch was an excellent Trap Shooter and competed in many New England tournaments as well as other northeast and southeast competitions where he made many lifelong friends. He enjoyed fishing and occasionally brought along his canine companion Casey. Patch was also a regular participant of deer camp with all of his buddies.