Patrick 'Pat' Nelson Reece

Pat passed away Friday, April 12, 2024, at his Kelowna home after a long battle with cancer.

Pat was born in Kelowna on Halloween Day in 1953 to his loving parents Nelson and Patricia Reece and was their second son. Pat is survived by me, Rick Reece of Kelowna; his nieces, Krista and family of Kelowna, and Amy and family of Spring Lake, AB. Pat is also survived by two aunts, Esther and Gwen, and by many cousins locally and abroad.

Pat was a man of mystery who led an international life with homes in Kelowna, Whitehorse, YT and Kauai, Hawaii. Pat never married as his real love was business, at which he excelled with his working career, starting in Westbank working for our father at Westbank Packers at the young age of 10 years old. We were a working family in the fruit business which was one of two major employers in Westbank at that time. In 1976 Pat came to work with me in Kelly’s Stereo Mart in Whitehorse where he excelled in sales. In the early 1980’s Pat transitioned into running our Qwanlin Twin Theatres where he made a success of the business ultimately selling the operation many years later. He loved the theatre business and as you will read, helped many kids learn how to work.

Eventually, Pat founded PR Services, publishing maps and books with clients up and down the Alaska Highway where he travelled for many years. Pat’s map books were also published in Kelowna, affording him time to spend back home and taking our Mom on delivery trips to Penticton. Pat sold that business and semi retired after many years. By all accounts Pat donated his time and money to many worthwhile recipients and organizations in Whitehorse and was considered a pillar of the community.

Pat was able to takeover the management of our parent’s affairs as they aged in place, recruiting a broad range of caregivers, two of whom remained as his caregivers until his death. Our parents both passed away in their home built for them in 1958 on Angus Drive in Westbank. The care they were given was exceptional with Pat managing every detail through to their passing; Dad in 2011 and Mom in 2012.

Yukon Remembrances

Pat loved his Twin Cinema days, and would beam when talking about his staff that worked there over the years, and some of the kids that grew up in the arcade days. He knew all the kids by name and would see them years later and comment on how they had grown. He was very disciplined and could achieve almost anything he set his mind to.

Pat looked forward each fall to his house on the island of Kauai. He played baseball with the locals and meet friends he had made over the years, and play golf with them on the course close to his house. He always said the one consistent part about golf was that it’s very difficult to become better at it, but really easy to get worse.

He absolutely loved to travel around the Yukon on his distribution trips so he could reconnect with the many friendships he had formed over the years. Pat was a private man in many ways, but he was certainly not quiet. He was there to help you if you needed it, and support you if you needed it. He liked to help those in need, but usually anonymously.

Mostly, he will be remembered as a gentle, kind-hearted salesman who could, over an hour chat, sell you pretty much anything he had in his bag that day. He was passionate about the Yukon and, especially, the Yukoners he had met over the years. In his later years, he became obsessed with golf and his trips to Kelowna and Kauai. He will certainly be missed by all his friends, acquaintances, business associates and customers.

Pat’s wishes were for no memorial services of any kind, with his ashes spread in Gellatly Bay, West Kelowna, Miles Canyon in Whitehorse, and Brenneke Beach in Poipu, Hawaii.

Rest in peace my brother.

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