Roswell Scudder Patterson of Endwell, N.Y., and Oak Bluffs, died peacefully at home on Oct. 19. He was 93.
He was born on May 11, 1921 at home in Scranton, Pa., the youngest of five children and the only son of the late Roswell H. and Emma Scudder Patterson.
Roswell attended Keystone Academy and graduated from Scranton Technical High School. He received an associate’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific.
He married Janice Peck of Waverly, Pa., in 1951 and enjoyed a long and happy marriage until her death in 2000. It was in Waverly that Roswell raised his family and continued to live for 50 years. In 2003, Roswell married Virginia Long and together, in 2010, they moved to the Good Shepherd Village in Endwell.
Throughout his lifetime, Roswell was very interested in the history of Scranton, and remained a knowledgeable source regarding the families and early founders of the city. At an early age he became a great lover of dogs and had a constant dog companion for most of his life.
He worked for the Anthracite Institute briefly before entering a lifelong career at Pennsylvania Gas and Water Co., where he served as the manager of the Scranton office and retired as the manager of credit and collections. He served on the board of the Crippled Children Society, and he was involved in the merger with and establishment of Allied Services. He served as a township auditor for Waverly Township before serving several terms as a township supervisor. He was a past trustee and treasurer of Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs.
In his retirement years, Roswell enjoyed woodworking, golf and traveling. He was especially fond of time spent with family during the summer months on Martha’s Vineyard.
He was a former member of First Presbyterian Church in Clarks-Summit, Pa., Scranton Kiwanis Club, Waverly Country Club, Scranton Club, East Chop Beach Club and East Chop Tennis Club. He was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Endwell, N.Y.
In addition to his wife, Virginia, he is survived by his three children: R. Mark Patterson and wife Leslie of Endwell, Dr. Bruce H. Patterson and wife Carol of New London, Conn., and Polly S. Patterson of Holliston, Mass. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Kipp Patterson of Endwell, Matthew Patterson of Denver, Dr. Gilbert Patterson and his wife Emily of Rochester, Minn., Lucy Patterson Delaney and husband Zachary of Boston, and Daniel Patterson of Boston, in addition to Ginny’s daughters: Dr. Jacqueline Long of Chicago, and Susan Baeder of Ferndale, Wash.
Roswell was predeceased by sisters Mary S. Patterson, Louise Patterson, Emma P. Kraemer and Alice P. Lewis.
Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 711 Farm To Market Road, Endwell, with Rev. Rebecca Kindig officiating. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Hickory Grove Cemetery in Waverly, Pa. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main street, Endicott.
Expressions of sympathy in Roswell’s memory may be made to: Lackawanna Historical Society, 232 Monroe avenue, Scranton, PA 18510, Lackawanna County Library Lecture Series, 520 Vine street, Scranton, PA 18509, Union Chapel, P.O. Box 1164, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or Good Shepherd Communities Foundation, 32 Village Drive, Endwell, NY 13760.
