3/5/1961 - 3/25/2020
OBITUARY Following his ten month battle with Chondrosarcoma, Patrick Michael Sclafani, 59, of Glastonbury, CT, died on March 25, 2020 at the home of his brother Fran, in Floral Park, NY surrounded by his loving family. Beloved father of Ann Patrice “AP” and Marie, adoring partner of Teresa “Terry” Lignelli, devoted brother of Leonard Sclafani (Cathie), Maryann Sclafani “Missy”, Ann Patrice “Ann Pat” Sclafani Forde (late Tom), Francis “Fran” Sclafani (Joanne), Philip Sclafani (Antoinette), Patricia Sclafani Sacchi, and Mary Grace Sclafani. Pat is also survived by nieces and nephews, Ed, Patty and Tom (Sclafani), Kristin and Kelly (Sclafani), Patrick Forde and Joanna (Sclafani), twelve grandnieces and grandnephews and countless caring cousins. Raised by his sister, Ann Pat and her husband, Tom from the age of 11, Pat spent his early years in Flushing and Jackson Heights, NY, eventually attending Holy Cross High School. A talented basketball player, he attended and played four years of varsity hoops at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. In 1979, Pat traveled with the team to Cuba to take on the Cuban Olympic team in Havana. Graduating in 1983 with a degree in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering from Trinity College, Pat joined Combustion Engineering. He stayed with ABB, the parent company, throughout his distinguished professional career. Pat also obtained a Master of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. For a portion of his tenure, Pat successfully headed the ABB Charitable Foundation. Under his leadership, the program was greatly expanded to assist many nonprofit organizations, grants and community outreach programs. Many times, his work and love of travel brought Pat to Vermont, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, Japan and the Netherlands. Pat loved the outdoors, and was an avid cyclist, fisherman, skier and golfer. He loved the beach and spent many glorious summer days throughout his life in the Hamptons and Montauk. Beyond outdoor athletic endeavors, his varied interests included meteorology, astronomy, music (particularly the Foo Fighters, U2, Green Day and One Republic), gardening, woodworking, cooking, gin rummy and cribbage. In 2006, Pat was diagnosed with a rare thoracic cancer, Thymoma. He fought through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments to defeat it. Six weeks after his last treatment, Pat, with a small group of incredulous friends and family, cycled 50 miles in what became Team Sclafani’s first of many Connecticut Challenge bike rides in support of cancer survivorship. More recently, Pat and Team Sclafani became involved in the Closer to Free Ride supporting the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven. To date, Pat and his teammates have raised nearly $400K for cancer-related research and survivorship care. Inspired by his personal battle against the disease, Pat became an advocate for those undergoing cancer treatment; he offered guidance, advice, support, and life-saving contacts. In addition to his love of family, Pat valued his many friendships. Friends from grammar and high school, college, work, or people he met while traveling remained friends for life. Pat was the logistical heart that brought his friends together; for a bike ride, a ski trip, a college basketball game, a golf outing or simply an evening meal with a nice Malbec. Pat nurtured and treasured his relationships; it was his Superpower. “Whether it is helping a newly diagnosed patient, raising awareness, sharing my story, or raising funds for cancer research, I do not plan to walk away from my cancer, I plan to fight against it for myself and others.” Pat Sclafani Pat will be buried with his mother, Ann Patrice (nee Carey) Sclafani in First Calvary Cemetery in Queens, NY. A memorial service will be held as soon as current events allow. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Pat can be made to the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group - https://www.itmig.org/Pat_Sclafani