Patrick Mccluskey

Funeral Location:St Michael's Basilica

Resting Location:No visitation

Wishes:By request of the family, and in lieu of flowers, please consider undertaking the donation of a book to your local library in his memory.

The family of Patrick McCluskey is sad to announce the death of Mr. McCluskey on 14 January 2021 at Shannex, Losier Hall, Miramichi, NB, at the age of 87.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Maura Barry, his children Tim (Anne) of Fredericton, Kathleen McCluskey of Miramichi, and Michael of Edmonton, his sister, Sister Mavis McCluskey, NDSC, of Dieppe, and sister-in-law, Grace McCluskey of Fredericton. He is predeceased by his brother, Vaughan.
Born in Edmundston, NB, he was the first of three children of Ivan Carten McCluskey and Beatrice Mary McCormack. Patrick lived in Grand Falls to the age of fifteen at which time he moved to Chatham (Miramichi) to attend high school at the St. Thomas Boys’ Boarding School. He graduated in June of 1949.
From there “Pat” continued on to take a four-year program at St. Thomas University (STU). He graduated as valedictorian in 1953. He participated in the Canadian Officers’ Training Corps in the Royal Canadian Artillery at Shilo, MB, while attending university eventually receiving an officer’s commission along with his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He completed his final phase of military training with the Royal Canadian Artillery, British Army of the Rhine, Bergen-Höhne Garrison, Germany, in 1953.
When Pat returned from Germany, he accepted a position as Vice-Principal of the school in Aroostook Junction, NB, but returned to STU in Chatham in order to receive higher qualification for teaching. He emerged with his B.Ed. degree in 1955. Pat returned to military life in 1956, but soon left to become a civilian instructor at Camp Borden, Ontario.
He married Maura Rosaleen Barry of Chatham, NB, on 12 August 1958. The couple took up residence in Barrie, Ontario to enable Pat to continue his work as a civilian instructor. Pat and Maura returned to the Miramichi in 1959 after Pat accepted a position at Harkins High School. Shortly thereafter he accepted the role of Supervising Principal across the river at the Nelson Consolidated School District (NCSD).
While working out of NCSD, he studied for and obtained a Master’s Degree in Education from Mount Allison University in Sackville in 1964. He achieved a Certificate VI, a principal’s level of administration, and a certificate of Second Language Specialist (French). Pat was fully and effortlessly bilingual.
During the course of his career and community involvement, Pat was Co-ordinator of French for the Town of Chatham Schools, Miramichi Training Officer for 2nd Battalion of the Royal NB Regiment, North Shore, a Regional Superintendent for the Department of Education, and Superintendent of Schools for School District 2 based in Campbellton. Pat finished his career as Department Head for English and French at James M. Hill Memorial High School in Miramichi.
He was elected President of the Miramichi Branch of the NB Teachers’ Association (NBTA) and installed as Provincial and National President of the Canadian College of Teachers. This eventually led to his being made a Fellow of that organization.
Pat co-authored a New Brunswick Department of Education report, “Education Tomorrow”, and a Department of Health study on the use of alcohol and drugs in NB.  He was the Atlantic Regional Director for the writing the Review of Educational Policies, Atlantic Provinces Sector, for the Organization of Economic Policies and Practices (OEPP), then an organization of 21 countries of which Canada was a member. In December 1975, he participated in the presentation of the Canadian report in Paris.
He was a member of the NB School Superintendents’ Association, the District 16 School Board, and Chair of the Chatham Public Library, York Regional Library, and the NB Public Libraries Boards. He was also a member of the Canadian Education Association. He sat on the District 16 Appeals Board and also chaired two NBTA negotiating teams. Pat was an active member and president of the Miramichi Area Retired Teachers and the NB Retired Teachers’ Associations until the last few years.
Locally, Pat was President of the first St. Michael’s Parish Council and a 60 year member of St. Michael’s Choir, Lector, and Communion Assistant. He remained active in his parish until his health declined.
Performance was more than just a casual hobby. Pat was a singer, actor, producer, director, and President during the 20-year run of the Miramichi Choral Society.
Pat and Maura lived in the King Street home of the Barry Family for several years. Since 1968 they have resided at the same home on Henderson Street in Miramichi and raised three children: Timothy, Kathleen, and Michael there.
He was the proud grandfather of Catherine and Barry, the children of Tim and Anne. Catherine and Barry have inherited his passion for theatre and the arts.
Pat spent his last few years as a resident of Mount St. Joseph and finally Shannex Losier Hall in Miramichi. The family thanks the staff of both facilities for his excellent care and attention.
Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 11 am, from St Michael's Basilica, with Father Fraser officiating.
At the request of the family, retired teachers are asked to please gather prior to the funeral, Saturday, June 19th, at St. Michaels’ Basilica, 10 Howard Street, Miramichi, no later than 10:30 AM, for designated seating during the service and the formation of an honour guard, afterward.
By request of the family, and in lieu of flowers, please consider undertaking the donation of a book to your local library in his memory.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Northumberland Funeral Home, 102 Pleasant St, telephone (506) 622-7741