Charles Patrick O’Toole, passed away Aug. 28 at OHSU following complications after surgery. He was 85.

Pat O’Toole was born March 25, 1935, in Ontario to immigrant Drewsey sheep ranchers, Mike O’Toole from Ireland and Anna Sweistris O’Toole of Lithuania. The sixth of nine children, Pat spent his childhood in Drewsey, attending both the old and new Drewsey School houses. For a brief time, Mrs. O’Toole and the children lived in Ontario where Pat attended the Ontario elementary school.

In 1949, Mike O’Toole was tragically killed in a car accident near Harper. Back in Drewsey, Pat finished his grade school years and attended Crane Union High School where he competed in football, basketball and track, and graduated in 1954.

Following graduation Pat worked with brother Dan on the O’Toole ranch until he was drafted into the Army in 1959. After basic training at Fort Oard in California, Pat was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., for the majority of his time in the service, except for a brief trip to Puerto Rico.

Pat returned to Drewsey after being discharged in 1960 and spent time working on the ranch and at different jobs in the Treasure Valley. It was during this time that he met Susan Haines at a Drewsey dance. The two began dating and were married Sept, 19, 1964. Later that year, they bought out the remaining siblings and took over ownership of the O’Toole Sheep Company. In 1969, they switched the operation to cattle.

Their first child, Marcus John, was born in 1967, and daughter Michelle Suzanne was born three years later.

Pat was an active member of the Drewsey community, serving on the Drewsey School Board, and helping build the Community Hall, as well as assisting in bringing the television transmitters to Drewsey Peak.

In the year 2000, Pat and Susan sold the ranch to son Marc and daughter-in-law Polly. In his retirement, Pat enjoyed metal detecting, gold panning, and fishing, along with his lifelong favorite pastime, watching sports of any kind. No matter where he was or whatever task he was working on, the sound of Merle Haggard could always be heard in the background.

Pat is survived by his wife of 56 years, Susan of Drewsey; sisters, Margaret Ferrarin of Ontario, Coleen Georgeff of Portland, Barbara Jean Gibbins of Eagle Idaho, and Katherine Diane (Brian) of La Grande; son, Marc (Polly) of Drewsey; grandchildren, Emilee (Luke) McKay of Juntura, Thomas of Portland, John Patrick of Drewsey, and Sadie of Nampa Idaho; and great-grandson, Xavier McKay of Juntura.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Anna O’Toole; daughter, Michelle; brothers,  Edward, Thomas, and Danial; and sister, Eilene Ivancie.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 4 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Graveside services were held at the Drewsey Cemetery immediately after the Mass.

Any donations in Pat’s memory can be made to the Retired Priest/Religious Fund and can be mailed to LaFollette’s Chapel, PO Box 488, Burns, Oregon 97720.