Obituary of Patrick W. Sturn

WYNANTSKILL – Patrick W. Sturn, 76, passed away quietly at home, late Friday evening, November 10^th, 2023.  He was comfortable according to his wishes and in the presence of his wife and daughter.

Born in Albany in 1947, Patrick was the son and the eldest of three children born to the late Ursula M. (Boyle) Sturn and Willard E. Sturn of Farley Drive, Rensselaer, NY.  He was the first-born grandson to Anna A. McDonough and Willard F. Sturn of Albany and to Mary (Regan) Boyle and George T. Boyle.  He was the beloved & ‘lovingly spoiled’ nephew of Magdalen U. Boyle and Jean Ann (Sturn) Plume.  Patrick was joined in marriage to his sweetheart, Veronica Mary DeGroff of Rensselaer, both at age 22.

Patrick was preceded in passing by his younger siblings, Teresa M. Sturn (in 2007), and Vincent E. (Mary) Sturn (2018), as well as his parents, aunts, and uncles.  Patrick is survived by his wife, Veronica Sturn and his only daughter, Terra Magdalen (Gary) Haight of Brunswick; sister-in-law, Mary Sturn of Castleton; and cousins Richard Boyle, Marcia (Val) Riordan, and Pamela VanOverwalle.

An honors graduate of Van Rensselaer High School (VR, class of 1965), he then earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the SUNY- Albany campus and pursued further graduate studies at Siena College.  He was employed with the NYS Dept. of Health, Office of Medicaid Services, retiring in 2010, and was recognized for his contributions to oversight and technological advancement of the health data management systems.

Pat was an extremely gifted artist of photography.  His personal experiences, family, local and political histories, and interpretations of life are vividly captured and documented through thousands upon thousands of his photographs and photographic artwork.  He had an amazingly keen eye for the candid shot -- both intimate portraits and public moments.

He completed a photo documentary assignment for NYS Office of General Services spanning ten years of the construction of the Empire State Plaza buildings.  He captured many candid images of Nelson Rockefeller and Mayor Corning -- one of ‘Rocky’ purportedly by climbing directly through the Governor’s office window (can’t do that now), Empire State celebrations and events, aerial views of the skeletal Corning tower and the Egg in progress, as well as sketching life in Albany, the City of Rensselaer, and the Hudson River at Albany and Troy.  He favored black and white photography as a medium for much of his work through the early ‘70s.

Pat was decidedly a loner and characteristically kept feelings close to himself.  He was a sensitive soul who loved his family though it could not be said and was rarely demonstrated.  In particular, he deeply loved his brother Vinny and sister Terri and mourned them privately within his own emotional and spiritual spaces.

Pat loved music, literature, films, nature, and spicy foods.  He explored the Adirondack mountains and lakes throughout his lifetime – camping, backpacking, hiking, kayaking, and photographing.  He completed the entire Northville-Placid Trail, as a solo expedition in the 1990s.  He found his musical self within the images of Bob Dylan, John Lennon, George Harrison, Arlo Guthrie, and Jerry Garcia.

Elvis has left the building!  Love you Dad.

Visitation hours will be Friday, November 17^th, from 5- 7 p.m., at W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer, NY.  All are welcome.  A brief memorial will be offered at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the Adirondack Mountain Club.