Patrick Sherman Obituary (1963 - 2021)

Patric J. Sherman, 58, of Oakland, passed away suddenly on June 12, 2021. Pat was born on May 29, 1963 in Houlton, Maine, to Paul Jr and Doris (McKee) Sherman. Pat graduated 3rd in the class of 1981 from Southern Aroostook Community High School. Pat’s love was baseball, but he also played basketball and soccer, excelling in them all. He then went on to graduate from the University of Maine at Orono with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He accepted a job at International Paper Company in Ticonderoga, NY, prior to graduating in 1986. Pat married his high school sweetheart and the mother of his children, Jolynn (Tarr) Sherman just two weeks after graduating. Moving back to Maine in 1987, he worked for Great Northern Paper Company alongside his father. He then accepted a position at SAPPI in 2000, moving his family to Central Maine. After 8 years at SAPPI, he then changed direction. Taking a job with NETCO, he worked on devices that detected explosives, a job that allowed him to do one of the things he loved the most--travel. Pat, who became a “Papi” in 2016, then took an opportunity to stay closer to his family by accepting a position at Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection in Augusta. When Pat wasn’t working, he could be found in his (33 years old) Cowboys Jersey, a Red Sox T-shirt or his famous Hawaiian button up. Pat was an avid sports fan, craftsman, musician and adventurer. He always said, “you can make me grow old, but you can’t make me grow up.” He lived by that motto in all that he did. As his daughters grew up, Pat made sure his family always took vacations, went to concerts, and grabbed every chance to see a Red Sox game. If there was a musical instrument around, Pat would, without a doubt, pick it up and perform. A gifted musician, he could play most anything by ear on the guitar or piano and could also carry a good tune. He was the best “girl Dad”, always willing to have his hair put in curlers or his nails occasionally painted. Pat also taught his daughters important life lessons about education and financial responsibilities without losing sight of how to enjoy life. His children were famous for saying “don’t worry, my Daddy can fix it” and usually he did. His children could pick up the phone at any hour, day or night and he would be there to fix any problem whether it was a car problem, a mouse in the house, a question about school or just about life. He was never too busy for his kids. He put them first, always. Pat never missed any event that his children were involved in. He was the chaperone, coach, chauffeur and his kids’ number one fan. When his daughters decided they wanted to take up running, Pat signed up right along beside them to train for a 5K as a way to spend extra time together. Pat made sure his children always felt protected, supported and prepared for any situation life threw at them. He always had an adventurer’s streak. He loved motorcycles, owning one since the age of 19. You could find him cruising on his motorcycle or riding the tallest rides at amusement parks. Pat was engaged to Venise Thompson where they both resided in Oakland with her children and their two dogs Daisy and Ollie. Pat had a special relationship with Venise’s children Lydia, Gabbie, and Ricky and would do anything for them, just as he would his own three girls. He and Venise often enjoyed their free time roller skating, bicycling, and camping. Most recently, they loved their Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives trip, including a stop to tour Fenway Park. Pat was proudest of his title as Papi to his grandchildren, Camdyn Grace and Madelyn Jo Stuart, Nathan Benjamin Philbrick and Natalie Maureen Giroux. Those kids had him wrapped around their fingers and always melted his heart. He proudly wore a t-shirt captioned “The Grandfather”. Pat was predeceased by his father, Paul F. Sherman Jr. Pat is survived by his mother, Doris Sherman of Oakfield, and by his three daughters: Nicole and husband Chris Giroux of Sidney and granddaughter Natalie, Alyssa and husband Matt Stuart of Brewer and granddaughters Camdyn and Madelyn, and Kimberly Sherman of Oakland. Pat is also survived by his fiancé, Venise Thompson of Oakland and her children Lydia and husband Blake Philbrick of Sidney and grandson Nathan, Gabrielle and Ricky Thompson of Oakland. He also leaves behind his two brothers: Paul Sherman III and his wife Shel, and Sterling Sherman, as well as nephews Dane, Kieran and niece Taylor. Pat’s family will carry along his legacy by continuing to take the vacation, go to the concert and never miss an opportunity for a Red Sox game. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Pat’s memory be sent to Southern Aroostook Community School, 922 Dyer Brook Rd, Dyer Brook Maine 04747, Attention: SACS Scholarship Fund. Please specify donations to be set aside for a scholarship in Pat’s memory. Patric's visiting hours will be in the Knowlton-Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St. Augusta on Friday, July 16, 2021 from 4-7 PM His Funeral Service will be on Saturday morning, July 17, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Calvary Chapel 154 River Road Orrington, Maine. There will be a time of visitation prior to Patric's funeral services on Saturday beginning at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. A family burial will be in Oakfield Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home One Church St. Augusta where condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com