Patrick Dennis Jennings (Pat) passed peacefully March 5, 2013, at Hospice House in Coeur d'Alene. Born Nov. 1, 1932, in Butte, Mont., to Patrick and Viola Jennings.

One of five siblings Pat earned his stripes early in life. At age 4 Pat entered St. Joseph's orphanage. Father Sars of Butte became a mentor and watched over Pat and his siblings. He enlisted into the Navy at age 16. Pat embraced the Navy. He was always a very proud veteran. The Navy took him across the U.S., and to the Korean War. After the war, Pat relocated to Helena, Mont. He married Sheila Davis, and had two children, Patrick James (P.J) and Julie. Pat remained very active in the Underage Veterans Association.

Pat worked in the flooring business in Helena, Great Falls and Billings, Mont., prior to opening Pat’s flooring in 1967, in Billings. Upon the sale of his flooring business he pursued his dream of owning an Irish billiard bar. This led Pat and family to Coeur d'Alene in 1977 where he opened The Corner Pocket, it was renamed Paddy's in 1983. Over the 20 years of ownership, Pat grew the business into a thriving local institution. He did this with the help of his family son PJ, daughter-in-law Robin and daughter Julie. It truly was a family business, grandchildren Patrick and Marie were also employed through the years.

A true Irishman, St. Patrick's Day was his favorite holiday. Any given March 17 you would find Pat with his beard dyed green and full Irish garb. He poured his heart into making St. Patrick's Day at Paddy’s the event of the year. The party boasted bag pipers, green beer and homemade pasties and cabbage rolls by Sheila.

An avid hunter, Pat enjoyed his annual hunting trips to Creston, B.C. Pat, PJ, grandson Patrick and several friends spent many years hunting the Canada goose. Playing cards and hosting poker tournaments were among some of Pat’s favorite hobbies. In his 50s Pat picked up the sport of golf, he and his family regularly played at the Coeur d'Alene public course. He was also a member of the Coeur d'Alene Skeet and Trap Club, VFW, American Legion and Hayden Lake Eagles. Pat was beloved by acquaintances, friends and family. You could always count on Pat for an interesting story or joke.

In the late '90s he took a lesser role in the family business and began a transition to retirement. During this time he lost his wife Sheila of 45 years. Pat later met and married Gloria Schultz. They were married July 20, 2000, in Reno Nev., accompanied with best friends and family. They lived with beloved dog Cody in Coeur d’Alene. Together they embraced life by traveling to Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., California, Florida and motor home trips to Arizona. They enjoyed most summer weekends at their property on the Coeur d'Alene River.

Pat is survived by wife Gloria Jennings; son PJ and wife Robin Jennings, their children Patrick Jennings and Marie Nail, her husband Michael and great-grandchildren, Emerson and Eli Nail; daughter Julie, son-in-law Doug and grandson Casey Cisney; sister Irene Ferguson and husband Dick of Wenatchee, Wash.; stepson and daughter-in-law Darin and Kim Krier; granddaughter Jadin; stepson and daughter-in-law Rob and Carolyn Schultz; and grandson Sam. Pat is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Pat’s honor to Hospice House of Coeur d'Alene and the Coeur d'Alene Humane Society.

A celebration of life will be held from 4-6 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2013, at Paddy’s, 601 W. Appleway, Coeur d’Alene.

We would also like to thank the staff at Beehive Assisted Living and Hospice House of Coeur d’Alene for their loving care and expertise in taking care of Pat.

Please visit Pat's online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.