John "Pete" Joseph Patterson

On September 3, 2026, Pete Patterson, 79, a resident of Centreville, MD and previously of Edgewater, MD passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Pete is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Karen Brandenburg Patterson; his children, Bryan Patterson, Pam Szymanski (Steve), Kelly Patterson, and Melissa Friedman (Josh). He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, AJ Szymanski, Trevor Szymanski, Alice Leuschner, Charlie Leuschner, Emmett Friedman, and a baby girl Friedman on the way. He was also cherished and beloved by many nieces, nephews and family members. Pete was born John Joseph Patterson (Jackie) on July 10, 1947, in Pittsburgh, PA to Louie Patterson and Alice McDonnell Patterson. He was a focused young man who was determined to make a future for himself. He worked at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church as an alter boy through his formative years, where his foundation of Christian faith began. He attended Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh where he played football and basketball and worked after school and on weekends to pay his own tuition. He attended Slippery Rock State College where he was a devout member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. Upon graduating with a degree in Education, he took a leap of faith and moved to Maryland and began his 30+ year career as an educator in Anne Arundel County. He had a special gift working with children and teenagers of all ages, he was passionate about making an impact on children’s lives. He had a gift of making everyone feel loved and supported, extending beyond his career and into decades of coaching youth sports. Pete obtained his master’s degree in Guidance Counseling and spent many years as a Middle School Guidance Counselor before ending his professional chapter as a Pupil Personnel Worker. He had a lifelong passion for playing, coaching and watching sports; his enthusiasm for the Pittsburgh Steelers was second to none, but nothing compared to his love of watching his grandchildren follow their dreams. Pete was an avid boater and loved his time living on the South River and exploring the Chesapeake Bay. His favorite memories with family and friends took place along the water, where Pete was always there smiling and cracking jokes. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Centreville United Methodist Church, (608 Church Hill Road, Centreville, MD 21617) on Thursday September 10th for visitation from 10:00 am – 11:00 am, followed by the funeral service from 11am – 12pm. A celebration of life will be held immediately following the funeral service at Symphony Village Clubhouse, 100 Symphony Way, Centreville MD 21617. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Pete's name to either Compass Hospice https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E354255&id=2 or St. Jude's www.stjude.org.

John "Pete" Joseph Patterson

July 10, 1947 - September 3, 2026