Our Family Heritage (cont'd.)

Gerald Patterson

Harold Patterson

In 1919 after World War 1,
J.J.'s twin sons, Gerald and Harold,
returned home and joined their father in the family business.
In 1942, the two brothers purchased the family business and five years later the businesses were separated with the funeral home being moved to Young Street under the direction of Gerald while Harold continued to operate the furniture store.

Francis Patterson

In 1961, Francis G.Patterson, Harold's son
became the third generation of the Patterson family
serving in funeral service when he
received his“Embalmers Certificate of Qualification”.

Port Colborne Funeral Home(cc. 1969)

He worked with his Uncle Gerald
for a number of years until 1969,
when he purchased the Patterson
Funeral Residence in
Port Colborne with his wife Patricia.

Francis & Patricia Patterson

On February 1st, 1974, Francis and Patricia relocated to Niagara Falls with their three daughters, Mary Frances, Ruth-Ann and Sandra, after having purchased the
Dermody and Hockton Funeral Home (est. 1950).
In 1985, the name was changed to the current name Patterson Funeral Home.
The original building, one of the oldest still standing in the city, has been renovated many times over the years
to keep pace with changing trends and demands,
yet it still retains a very home-like charm.

Ed, Ruth-Ann, Ryan & Alexandra Nieuwesteeg

In 1991, Francis' son-in-law Ed Nieuwesteeg received his funeral director's license and in 1998 with his wife Ruth-Ann they took over the day to day operations of the funeral home, thus becoming the fourth generation of the Patterson family to serve their community. It is their hope that one of their children Ryan or Alexandra, will one day become the fifth generation to carry on the family tradition.

Much has changed in funeral service since J.J. first started almost one hundred years ago,
but the basic premise of our profession, "family caring for family" has not...
J.J.'s legacy of caring and compassion lives on today...
He would be proud!

Click to see the story of Our Heritage Home.

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