Obituary for Patrick Dale Hovorka
HOVORKA, Ret. Sgt. Patrick Dale (December 14, 1942 – February 6, 2022) –
Passed away, peacefully in his sleep, at Parkwood Institute, London, surrounded by the love of his family by his side, Ret. Sgt. Patrick Hovorka, of Tillsonburg, at the age of 79. Born in Regina, Saskatchewan. Pat was a dedicated Police Service professional who made many significant contributions to our community as well. Pat had an outstanding 33-year policing career. During that career he offered a balanced and fair style of policing that was compassionate, but firm. He believed in positive community policing, offering strong explanations of new policing solutions to community and potential problems. His love for community, kindness and inclusivity were important to him. Pat received a Governor General’s Recognition Award for Exemplary Police Service. Pat was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 153, Tillsonburg, since 1973. Baseball was another passion that Pat loved. Leadership through coaching was Pat’s strength. His elite coaching skills led him to teach and lead the Elite Level 3 Classification – Baseball Skills Clinics. His coaching encouraged hometown talent to discover their potential. In 1988, Pat was recognized with an award as top Ontario Baseball Coach of the Year. In 1989, Pat’s coaching helped young standout baseball players win the Gold Medal at the high-ranking Canadian Games in Regina, Saskatchewan, which happened to be Pat’s hometown- no doubt an added source of personal pride and happiness! Pat was also proud to coach local Tillsonburg area Talent with the Tillsonburg White Sox to OBA championships in both 1984 and 1995. Pat later became a dedicated Firearms Instructor and Use-of-Force Instructor at the Aylmer Police College, for six years. Pat finished his policing career serving as a Special Constable with the Aylmer Police Service.
Pat was always an exceptional husband of 58 years to Penny and he took exceptional interest in kids and grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Loved father and father-in-law to: daughter Kelly Hovorka (Noah Mitchell), of St. Thomas and children: Brooklyn Vienneau-Hovorka, Staten Vienneau-Hovorka; son Patrick Jr. (Karen), of Woodstock and their children Matt (Lisa), Quinn; and son Thomas Hovorka, of St. Thomas. Pat Sr. was also the proud great-grandfather to Giorgia. Survived by two sisters Joanne Smandych (late Robert) and Jean (Jim Woodward), all of Saskatchewan. Predeceased by a sister Rae Poirier and a loved nephew Jay Lee Kennedy. Also survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends and relatives are invited to RSVP at Pat’s online tribute page at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com (please click the blue RSVP button) to attend visitation on Saturday, February 12th, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes, 262 Broadway, Tillsonburg. A Complete Funeral Service to Celebrate Pat’s Life and family legacy will follow at 1:00 p.m. by Chaplain Tina Dias. All attendees must wear a mask and are asked to observe social distancing guidelines. Government-implemented attendance restrictions remain in effect. A LIVE-STREAM of the funeral service will be available for those wishing to attend digitally.
To view a memorial video to honour Patrick Hovorka Sr., please copy and paste the below link into your internet browser search bar:
https://youtu.be/iChU3R9c3X0
Luncheon attendees must bring with them proof of vaccination. The family would gratefully acknowledge memorial donations to “Youth for Christ” (for Upper Deck Youth Centre, Tillsonburg) or to the “Tillsonburg Minor Baseball”, which can be contributed by contacting the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes- Burial and Cremation Services Inc., Tillsonburg (519)842-4238, which has been entrusted with all arrangements, with confidence.
The family would like to thank the staff of Parkwood Hospital GRU 5 AN for the incredible care provided to Pat.
Passed away, peacefully in his sleep, at Parkwood Institute, London, surrounded by the love of his family by his side, Ret. Sgt. Patrick Hovorka, of Tillsonburg, at the age of 79. Born in Regina, Saskatchewan. Pat was a dedicated Police Service professional who made many significant contributions to our community as well. Pat had an outstanding 33-year policing career. During that career he offered a balanced and fair style of policing that was compassionate, but firm. He believed in positive community policing, offering strong explanations of new policing solutions to community and potential problems. His love for community, kindness and inclusivity were important to him. Pat received a Governor General’s Recognition Award for Exemplary Police Service. Pat was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 153, Tillsonburg, since 1973. Baseball was another passion that Pat loved. Leadership through coaching was Pat’s strength. His elite coaching skills led him to teach and lead the Elite Level 3 Classification – Baseball Skills Clinics. His coaching encouraged hometown talent to discover their potential. In 1988, Pat was recognized with an award as top Ontario Baseball Coach of the Year. In 1989, Pat’s coaching helped young standout baseball players win the Gold Medal at the high-ranking Canadian Games in Regina, Saskatchewan, which happened to be Pat’s hometown- no doubt an added source of personal pride and happiness! Pat was also proud to coach local Tillsonburg area Talent with the Tillsonburg White Sox to OBA championships in both 1984 and 1995. Pat later became a dedicated Firearms Instructor and Use-of-Force Instructor at the Aylmer Police College, for six years. Pat finished his policing career serving as a Special Constable with the Aylmer Police Service.
Pat was always an exceptional husband of 58 years to Penny and he took exceptional interest in kids and grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Loved father and father-in-law to: daughter Kelly Hovorka (Noah Mitchell), of St. Thomas and children: Brooklyn Vienneau-Hovorka, Staten Vienneau-Hovorka; son Patrick Jr. (Karen), of Woodstock and their children Matt (Lisa), Quinn; and son Thomas Hovorka, of St. Thomas. Pat Sr. was also the proud great-grandfather to Giorgia. Survived by two sisters Joanne Smandych (late Robert) and Jean (Jim Woodward), all of Saskatchewan. Predeceased by a sister Rae Poirier and a loved nephew Jay Lee Kennedy. Also survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends and relatives are invited to RSVP at Pat’s online tribute page at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com (please click the blue RSVP button) to attend visitation on Saturday, February 12th, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes, 262 Broadway, Tillsonburg. A Complete Funeral Service to Celebrate Pat’s Life and family legacy will follow at 1:00 p.m. by Chaplain Tina Dias. All attendees must wear a mask and are asked to observe social distancing guidelines. Government-implemented attendance restrictions remain in effect. A LIVE-STREAM of the funeral service will be available for those wishing to attend digitally.
To view a memorial video to honour Patrick Hovorka Sr., please copy and paste the below link into your internet browser search bar:
https://youtu.be/iChU3R9c3X0
Luncheon attendees must bring with them proof of vaccination. The family would gratefully acknowledge memorial donations to “Youth for Christ” (for Upper Deck Youth Centre, Tillsonburg) or to the “Tillsonburg Minor Baseball”, which can be contributed by contacting the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes- Burial and Cremation Services Inc., Tillsonburg (519)842-4238, which has been entrusted with all arrangements, with confidence.
The family would like to thank the staff of Parkwood Hospital GRU 5 AN for the incredible care provided to Pat.