This site is a tribute to Pat, who was born in Edmonton on 17th January 1928 to Alex and Margaret.  He was big brother to Peggy, Bonnie, Ewie, Les and Terry. 

Pat was evacuated with Bonnie to Hatfield Peveral in Essex and often spoke about his time there with fond memories.  At aged 17 he volunteered for the Royal Fleet Air Arm (part of the Navy) as an air mechanic working on Spitfires and Hurricanes.  He told of stories of flying with a test pilot low over Scarborough beach and the ladies having their afternoon tea waving at them.

In Pat's youth he helped form and run 'The Avenue Football Club' in Edmonton and played for many years.  He met Eileen at a dance at The Royal Forest Hotel in Chingford in 1950.  They married four years later at St Peter's in the Forest, Walthamstow on 23rd January 1954.  They initially rented the top floor of a friend's house in Lombard Avenue, Enfield Highway.  In 1956 they bought their first, and only, house together in Graham Avenue, Broxbourne.

Clive was born in 1958, followed by Christine in 1960, and Michele in 1962.  Pat was a very hands-on father and spent many hours involved in the children's sporting activities.  He enjoyed family holidays to the Isle of Wight and Devon and later adventures to visit Christine in New Zealand and, holidays with Michele and Rhys to Suffolk and the Isle of Wight. Pat loved dogs and many will remember our family of Labradors.  Pat also spent many hours digging down his allotment which he had for over 60 years.

Later years were spent helping and running the local judo club twice a week and training Christine for the start of her running career.  Athletics then took over with firstly timekeeping, followed by starting, over a forty year period.  Pat often started one hundred meetings a year, which ranged from local schools, County level and, Southern Counties.

In July 1976, tragedy struck the family when Clive was killed in a road traffic accident aged 18.

Pat and Eileen became proud grandparents in 1996 when Liam was born; followed by Katie in 2001 and Rhys in 2005.  

Pat and Eileen celebrated their Sapphire wedding anniversary in 2019, and were married for 66 years.

Pat touched so many lives over the years, especially from his time running the judo club and, his forty years as a timekeeper and starter with UK Athletics.  We have been heartened and moved by all the wonderful messages and tributes that you have sent in your cards.

Pat was a true character, loved by all, dearly missed and, will always be remembered.

As you know, Pat developed dementia in his later years and many of the things he loved were taken away from him. Dementia is not a single disease but a term to describe a number of illnesses that predominantly affect people over the age of 65.  There is currently no cure for any of the neurodegenerative conditions that give rise to dementia, which represents one of the toughest medical and economic challenges facing our society today.  One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

It is for this reason, that we would prefer donations, in lieu of flowers, to help find a cure for this horrible condition.

We thank you for your generosity on behalf of the entire Brace family.

Eileen, Christine and Michele