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Patrick Joseph "Pat" Cummings, 89, Phoenix, Ariz., died May 27, 2016, after a lengthy illness.
He was born in 1927 in Hollidaysburg, son of the late Joseph and Edith Cummings.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Patricia Evans Cummings; two sons: Randy (Carol) and Michael (Diane) in Arizona; three grandchildren: Ehrin (Marc) Van Marter, Benjamin (Allison) Cummings and Christine (Trevor) Jacobs; two great-grandchildren: Carlos and Cruz Jacobs; a brother Robert (Lu) Cummings of Phoenix, Ariz.; two sisters: Marlene Berkey of Newry and Shirley Stayer of Hollidaysburg; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three sisters: Romayne Kelly, Marjorie Calderwood and Dolores Edmundson.
Pat graduated from Hollidaysburg High School in 1945 and was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII, spending time in the Great Lakes, Tacoma, and San Francisco.
He later graduated from St. Francis College in Loretto with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, followed by a master's degree in education from Penn State University. He taught algebra, geometry and trigonometry at Hollidaysburg High School from 1952-88. Patrick was an accomplished educator, evidenced by the Hollidaysburg class of 1960, who donated a life-size bronze tiger and plaque to the high school in his honor as their adviser. He was passionate about educating students and hearing about their accomplishments after they graduated. Patrick was the high school baseball coach and adviser to the school yearbook for much of his career. He also enjoyed being a football and basketball referee.
Patrick was also an active member of St. Michael's Church, Hollidaysburg, and he enjoyed playing golf after he retired.
He was a generous individual who loved his family, his school, his students and his fellow educators, and he always had time for everyone. His children remember him as a patient father who encouraged them to pursue their goals with a relentless dedication, saying, "Always be better today than you were yesterday."
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hollidaysburg Public Library, 1 Furnace Road, Scenic Pine Drive, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, or to local hospice services.
Cards would be appreciated by his wife, Patricia Cummings, at Hawthorn Court 13822, S. 46th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85044.
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