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Obituary for Patrick McDunn
Patrick McDunn, age 84 of Oxford, April 8, 1933-April 9, 2017.
Pat was born April 8, 1933 in a Slovak neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Charles McDunn and Katherine (Meehan). Pat had only one sister, Mary Ann (Stevenson), whom he loved dearly and lost to Alzheimer’s. Pat was an avid Cleveland Indian fan. He always proudly boasted that he was a tribesman. He came to Detroit to teach in 1967 but never gave up on his Cleveland team.
Pat first heard Irish music when he visited O’Halleran’s Irish Pub in Detroit. Shortly after, he formed his own band consisting of guitar, accordion and violin. His musicians were Polish and German. Pat was once quoted as saying, “We’re the most ecumenical Irish band.” Pat loved to have fun with the audience, and said the best part of playing in a band was the wonderful people he met along the way.
Pat met his wife, Rosemary, who came with her friend to hear Irish music at a Pub called the Hurling Green. They married on October 27, 1979 and had two sons, Kevin Patrick and Michael Christopher. Patrick McDunn played in an Irish band for more than 40 years. His band grew in popularity at Kennedy’s Irish Pub. He owned his own Irish Pub in Royal Oak, Michigan called Four Green Fields and hosted the largest St. Patrick’s Day parties in the state of Michigan drawing crowds of over 6,000 people each year. Pat also owned the McDunn Weal Inn in Highland, Michigan, which is now owned by his son Michael McDunn.
Pat had a passion for Irish music. Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night he entertained at various local Pubs with The Gaels. The band formed in 1972 and several of the original members still play in the local area. Pat’s greatest passion was his love for teaching. Pat taught at St. Ignatius High School in Chicago, U of D High School in Detroit and Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The subjects he taught were AP English, Latin and Greek. He developed life long relationships with many of his fellow teachers and students. Pat also taught Irish history at the University of Michigan. His knowledge on the subject led him to St. Patrick’s Day discussions on WJR’s J.P. McCarthy show.
As Pat journeyed through this life, people were his treasures. It was because of these many great friendships that Pat left this world a very, very rich man. I will forever be grateful that I had the privilege to be his wife and best friend. I love you, Pat, with all my heart.
It was with great sadness that my sons and I said farewell to Patrick McDunn, my husband and closest friend of 40 years and loving father of Kevin and Michael. He died peacefully this morning at 3:40 AM with all of us at his side. Words cannot describe this terrible loss. Pat had a way making people feel loved and important and was always able to bring a smile to everyone’s face. I laugh when I think of a time when we were out to dinner with friends. Pat was asked, “Is there anyone you don’t like.” He answered, “Of course.” When pressed to tell us who that would be, he could not come up with a single name. That was Pat. His kind ways and loving heart touched so many. Pat will be missed by all of those who knew him.
Our family has chosen to have a private memorial mass with family members in attendance. We plan to have a traditional Irish Wake to celebrate his life. Information will be posted so those who wish to attend can come and remember him.
