Marshall Pat Bartlette Brisbois
September 12, 1933 - May 31, 2017
- Share:
Marshall Pat Bartlette Brisbois
September 12, 1933 - May 31, 2017
Obituary
Captain, U.S. Navy, retired
A loving husband, father and friend, and dedicated patriot left us earlier than we would have liked but Pat is now free of pain and the complications of Parkinson’s. Pat was born in Peabody, MA to Hilda and Gerald Brisbois. He graduated from the University of Illinois and went on to a 30-year career in the US Navy. Among his sea assignments he commanded USS SUMMIT COUNTY (LST 1146), USS TOWERS (DDG 9), and was Commander Destroyer Squadron THIRTY FIVE (seven destroyers under his command in Pearl Harbor, HI). Significant shore tours included Commander Task Group 116.1 and 116.2 in Vietnam, Operations department at Allied Forces Southern Europe (Naples, Italy) and Director of the Center for War Gaming (Newport, RI). Among his many medals he was awarded the Legion of Merit with the combat “V” and the Bronze Star with combat “V”.
While stationed in Hawaii, Pat met Willine (Budi) Christensen, a fellow naval officer. They married in 1979 and began a shared life full of love, laughter, and adventure. They were stationed in Hawaii, Italy, Newport, and San Diego. After retirement they moved to Placerville, CA where Pat was involved with the river rafting industry as a river guide and manager. A move to Bend, OR took them closer to skiing, hiking, and canoeing. While in Bend Pat accepted the challenge for seven years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), volunteering on behalf of abused and neglected children. He considered this one of his most rewarding endeavors. A move in 2007 brought them to Bellingham where Pat enjoyed being near the water again.
Pat is survived by his wife Budi, brother Dick Brisbois of NH, sister Arlene Peterson of CA and sister-in-law Johanna Christensen of Bellingham. He is also survived by his children from a previous marriage, daughters Marcia Taylor and Martha (Chuck) Veta and sons Brian (Marty) Brisbois, Steve Brisbois and Brandon Brisbois, all from CA. Three granddaughters, Valerie (Mark) Passarella, Nancy (Rocky) Ramirez, and Lindsay Taylor survive Pat. His parents, sister-in-law Karen Brisbois and brother-in-law Rich Peterson predeceased him.
Pat supported the Whatcom Humane Society, 2172 Division St., Bellingham, WA 98226, and contributions on his behalf would be considered an honor to him. Pat’s cremains will be buried at sea in a ceremony aboard a U.S. Navy ship at a later date. Our prayer for Pat is fair winds and a following sea.
1 responses to Marshall Pat Bartlette Brisbois
Joe Tassinari says:
May 31, 2017
When I was hired to manage Mother Lode River Trips in 1991, already working there was an affable and hard-working man – we knew him as Pat Brisbois. He’d show up to work each day with a pint of milk, a donut and a ready smile. He guided people down the river when we needed him, but mostly drove bus shuttles, ran errands and did what ever was necessary. His consistency and upbeat attitude was a great life lesson for me.
One time Pat and I were putting camp together in the spring and he dropped his side of a 100+ pound-cooking grill on a finger. Noticing the bone deep-bloody gouge I asked if he wanted me to drive him to the hospital. Pat replied: “You can’t hurt steel!” He wrapped the wound in a paper towel with duct tape and we worked the rest of the day.
Every one of us at Mother Lode loved Pat. He treated each of us with kindness, respect and a consistently friendly manner. When talking about himself he only mentioned the love of his life, Budi and his dogs. We knew very little of his prestigious naval career.
One of the company buses was an old split-shift model. Pat thought it should be “moth-balled” and didn’t like driving it. On a shuttle to the North Fork American River it broke down at the bottom of a canyon. Pat had “had it” with that bus and in a rare moment he became furious. I said: “Pat, I thought you couldn’t hurt steel?” Pat said: “No, but you can wear it out!” By the end of the day he was back to his playful self.
Like a lifetime will do to most of us if we make it to a later age, it will eventually wear us out. Pat’s time in Lotus & Coloma, CA allowed all who partnered with him to know a reliable, dedicated, happy, and fun-loving friend.
Budi if you ever need anything, always feel welcome to reach out.