Patrick Francis Sheridan passed away at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx on Tuesday, August 11th. He was 80 years old. Born of two Irish immigrants, William Sheridan and Bridget Connell Sheridan, in the Bronx, he leaves behind a number of cousins and their families, including Fr. Seamus Connell of Dublin, Ireland, and countless friends. He is pre-deceased by his parents and his brothers, William Sheridan and Brother Michael Sheridan, CFC. Patrick’s long career journey included work in youth ministry for the Archdiocese of New York, 25 years as a ‘midnight shift’ emergency room nurse in various hospitals in the Bronx, and as a Doorman at 210 W. 78th St. in Manhattan, retiring in February 2015. As a dedicated nurse, Pat received rewards for outstanding service from the NYPD, as well as from the NYC Health Department, because of his astute diagnosis of a patient suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning and then alerting the health department, so that they could intervene and save the other residents of the apartment house from a faulty furnace. The 19 years he spent as a Doorman did not diminish his passion for serving people and he embraced that task with similar energy and devotion, not only serving the residents with great dedication, but also befriending himself to all those who passed by. The students from Collegiate School who passed the apartment building found in him a mentor and a friend. As they were graduating, Pat often would learn of their choice of university and surprise them with a hat from their new alma mater. In their moments of trial, for example, when they lost a student in a traffic accident, he was present to them in their pain. He brought cases of water to construction workers, laboring nearby. He helped drivers looking for precious parking spaces. He took great care in delivering packages inside apartments to keep them safe and watch over residents’ mail and apartments while they were away. When he saw sad faces, he would approach them and extend a hand of friendship, often asking, “When was the last time you jumped up and down about life?” One such passerby was Michael Kelton, whose popular Beyond radio podcast has run feature stories on Patrick, calling him his ‘guardian angel’. At a very difficult time in his life, Michael found in Patrick unconditional friendship and support and a seemingly prophetic prediction of good fortune, which, he is convinced, helped him find life anew. Patrick often recalled a couple of sayings his good mother left with him: “Money is like butter; it is no good, unless it is spread around.” When my brother Matthew died suddenly, my nephew Luke reminded Pat that on more than one occasion his dad would announce at dinner that they were eating that night because of the kind generosity of Pat Sheridan … just one of many examples I could share. Another favorite saying of his mother was, “Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.” He lived that saying with a passion. Patrick Francis Sheridan was a giver. He gave of himself to his family: when his mother needed home care, he would come home from the hospital, sometimes after a double shift in a Bronx emergency room, and tend to her most personal needs; when his brother Michael struggled with cancer, he would take the trip each day for some two years from Manhattan in order to be at his bedside in a NJ hospital, thanks to the hospitality of one of Michael’s former students, Steve Lazarus. He gave of himself to his friends: when the author of this bio suffered a ruptured appendix, he woke up from surgery to find nurse Pat at his side 150 miles north of his home, having taken time off and risking a new job at a Bronx hospital. He gave of himself in his work, telling the administrators of one hospital that they should take the Crucifixes off the wall, because they were not serving their patients well. In all that he did, Pat gave generously of himself and, as Saint Teresa of Calcutta reminded us often, he found great joy in the giving. The students at Collegiate School made him an honorary member of their school community, when they elected him ‘Man of the Year’ for their yearbook. Patrick Sheridan could have just as well been an honorary member of the St. Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, because that is very much who he was, a missionary of charity, a missionary of God’s love. It is important to note that in a very real way Pat’s mother’s words about ‘giving the world the best you have …’ proved true in his life. When this ‘good Samaritan’ to anyone and everyone came to his hour of need, God sent him a caretaker, who tended to his needs with great love and care. God sent him Anthony Garcia. From 4000+ miles away I am very grateful to Anthony for responding to God’s call and encircling this elderly man with the type of compassion he himself had doled out to so many during his life. Patrick’s enormous heart longed for love, as we all do. He would often say to friends and strangers alike, as he invited a hug, “Give me some Jesus!” When he found a willing partner, he would respond, “Wow!” I can only imagine the “Wow”, he’s shouting out now, as the good and generous Lord gives this bear of a man a bear hug par excellence, even as He whispers in his ear, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and enjoy the Kingdom I have prepared for you, where hugs are plentiful and the Love you shared so well reigns!” Amen, my friend and brother Patrick Francis Sheridan!
Visiting will be Saturday from 9am to 11am at Joseph A. Lucchese Funeral Home, 726 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 11:15am at Our Lady of Solace Church, 731 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx. Interment will be private.
Pat was a lovely man, unfailingly kind and generous. May he Rest In Peace.
Patrick! The best thing to happen to the Upper west side! I never met a more humble and sweet individual! He was so kind and generous of spirit . I have missed you everyday since your retirement. I lived on the block where he did his doorman duty. West 78bth has never been the same. Rest in Paridise, my friend..everyone’s friend. We all salute you. The world is a better place because you were here. Hugs ! Carol
A beautiful and kind soul,I was not only his care taker but a special friend who was with Patrick till God called him,I truly miss you Patrick, you forever touched my heart and soul and no words can describe the man you we’re, you’re in.heaven with the rest of you’re family, and I take comfort knowing you’re smiling down on everyone you’re touched, you made it home now you truly are getting some jesus, I will always love and keep you in my heart forever, ANTHONY ❤❤❤
Such beautiful words about our cousin Pat. Thank you ❤️
Larger than life, generous, and kind – happy to have known him. We always enjoyed his trips to Florida with Uncle Dan Q. A beautiful write up and certainly a life to celebrate.
Thank you for beautiful comments about Patrick. He was that and more. My wife Midori from Japan & our daughter Erika love Patrick. I used to work at Lincoln Hospital in The Bronx, not the same time period as Patrick and we would reminisce about the ED. My family lived at 210 W 78 St for 7 years. Patrick is the very best doorman & friend in the world. I love & respect him.
Dr. Charlie Larsen
He was the kindest and most wonderful friend to our Dad and grandmother, Matt Quackenbush and “Dottie” when he would come to visit my grandmother’s house, aka ‘The Abbey”. 🙂 I have had memories of Pat ever since I was little and as a nurse now, I wish I could’ve seen him in his “night shift ER element”! What a wonderful life-he always had luck with winning lottery tickets too. What a wonderful bio and write up of a wonderful man. Thank you. He will forever be in our memories. xo
Abby Quackenbush Cole
I am grateful and fortunate to have had the Sheridan brothers in my life. Br. Mike was one of my teachers as a Freshman at Power Memorial Academy. He later was on the altar when I was married. When he went through cancer, that is when I met Patrick and Billy. They were all special men who obviously had a great upbringing. What I witnesses was unconditional love by Patrick in caring for both Br. Mike and later Billy. I have been so blessed to have the Brothers Sheridan in my life and If I can be a small percentage of the Christian example that they taught me by their actions, I will be okay. Patrick was one of the most generous people I have met. He loved to help others, and to do it without the beneficiary knowing.
We shared many dinners, laughs and stories over the time since we met Patrick, but your kindness shined for many decades before that. Nobody can “Give me some Jesus” like you Patrick but I will certainly pay tribute to you every time I am able to pass that on. Thank You. You always quoted John 14:2; “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” I have no doubt that your room is beautiful and the celebration of the reunited Sheridan Family involved a lot of “Jumping up and down over the goodness of our Father”. But tonight I jump up and down for the goodness that you taught me Patrick.
Ron Wood said it in his poem:
“Don’t grieve for me, for now I am free
I’m following the path God laid you see
I took His hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all….”
You did leave all of yourself Patrick, and for that many of us are fortunate to have felt your hugs of love.
Thank You. Love, Stephen
Patrick was a diamond in the rough He treated everyone with utmost kindness and care. My husband and I will always remember his warm smile . He always asked everyone how they were doing and he genuinely wanted to know. May you Rest In Peace Patrick . You will be missed
Jennifer and Jordan
10/15/2020
RIP my friend patrick I will always remember you .
(Paul one for the road please)AVIDAZEN PATRICK!
Till we meet again!