OBITUARY: Patrick Joseph KING (1937-2024)

Patrick Joseph KING

1937-2024

Patrick Joseph King, 87, of Toronto, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sept. 22, 2024, at Sunnybrook Hospital of complications from heart failure after breaking his hip. He left a lifelong legacy with his family and many friends. He was a pillar of Canada’s insurance and reinsurance industry, where he spent his entire working life.

He was born Sept. 15, 1937, the oldest of three boys, to Frank and Kathleen King (nee Keily) in Shannon, Quebec, a predominantly Irish village north of Quebec City. Pat was proud of his Irish heritage and celebrated it often, instilling a love of Irish literature and music in his family and friends. Pat graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Quebec City and later received his Fellow of the Life Management Institute designation.

He married Marylin Jewell in 1959 and they had three boys: Patrick Jr. (born 1960), Frank (1961) and Brendan (1963). He was a wonderful partner to Marylin through their 65-year marriage, loving her deeply while supporting her education and journey of personal discovery. He was a strong role model for his children and a supportive father, always available for needed advice and counsel. This continued as each son married, Patrick to Donna Hawley, Frank to Lori Galpin and Brendan to Sandie Bryan. He was a loving father figure to each of his daughters-in-law and later to his grandchildren.

Pat worked extremely hard to advance himself in the insurance industry and provide for his family. He achieved the position of vice-president with Allstate Canada, then was recruited to be president and CEO of Canadian Home Assurance. He went on to executive positions with Allianz Canada, Rhine Reinsurance and Alea Canada before retiring in his 70s. Pat was honoured to serve as president of the Insurance Institute of Ontario from 2002 to 2003. As a testament to his character, he forged lasting friendships at each place he worked.

Over the years, Pat became a proficient golfer, bowler, poker player and curler and made many friends along the way, across Canada and in Sarasota, Florida, where he and Marylin spent their winters. They were always pleased to welcome family and friends and received many visitors who enjoyed their company, wine and Grand Marnier. Pat was a longtime member of Spring Lakes Golf Club in Stouffville and the National Club in Toronto, where he hosted many dinners. He and Marylin were avid readers, with many hundreds of books in their collection.

Pat and Marylin saw much of the world through their travels and they loved hosting their friends, children, and nieces and nephews Greg Jewell, Cindy Procyk and Heidi Pashayan and their families.

Besides Marylin and his children, Pat is survived by his brother Bill, sisters-in-law MaryLou King (nee Pichard) and Sherrill King (nee Kiley) and grandchildren Shannon, Conor and Ryan King.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Michael King.

Visitation is at York Funeral Centre, 160 Beecroft Rd. in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 10 to 11 a.m. Memorial service is 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at York Funeral Centre.

Interment will follow at York Funeral Centre, followed by a reception at the centre from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Memorials or donations in his honour may be made to the charity of your choice.

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