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    Home » Everything Amish » Plain Culture

    RIP Uncle Pat - Amish Meets Italian

    Published: Aug 22, 2016 · Updated: Aug 22, 2016 by Kevin Williams | 24 Comments

    By Kevin Williams

    Many of you came to know him, if only slightly, through the “Amish Meets Italian” videos I posted on this website a couple of years ago.    The videos featured my grandmother and my Uncle Pat sampling and commenting on various Amish goodies.

    My Uncle Pat Scorti passed away at age 78 over the weekend after battling an aggressive lung cancer.

    Pat was a sensitive man who had a passive-aggressive streak that would sometimes show itself.  But his gruff exterior often hid a great heart. Pat was a first generation Italian-American who assimilated into the melting pot of my Rust Belt hometown. He worked at a neighborhood grocery for decade, waiting on late-night drunks, lunch-pail carrying steel mill laborers and frazzled moms.  Pat was always impeccably clean, but one time a customer ordered some sliced ham and then commented to him to make sure his hands were clean before slicing. Which the mere mention Pat took as a personal affront.  Pat’s hands were always clean.  He slowly walked to the sink.  Stood there and lathered his hands for minutes on end while the customer looked on.  He slowly dried each hand off and then with a dramatic flourish held each one up to the light for the customer to see. His point was made.

    Pat was a hard worker who, earlier in his life, had worked his way to up manager of a department store called Checkers.  On the rough west side of Dayton, he once saw some would-be shoplifters casing his store.  Pat wasn't much for a confrontation so, as he told it, he grabbed a giant wrench and sneaked into the storeroom at a spot directly behind the pegboard where the shoplifters were about to lift some goods.  There happened to be a pipe right in that spot. Pat heaved the wrench and banged at a pipe with all his might.  The shoplifters, terrified by the sudden and unexpected noise, quickly turned tail and ran out of the store never to be seen again.

    Pat had three children early on his life but when his marriage ended he found his way to my grandmother (his sister) who’s husband had just left her.  And for over 40 years the two shared an apartment.  For most of that time, Pat went to his job, grandma went to hers and they went about their business, but towards the end as Grandma’s age caught up with her, Pat would become her full-time caregiver, going above and beyond what most siblings would probably do.  Pat was a good and decent man who made it possible for my grandmother to stay in her own home far longer than she probably should have.  Largely because of Uncle Pat, my grandmother is surviving and thriving today at age 91.

    When I was a toddler I took my first steps to my Uncle Pat. And when I was a child, I pestered him with endless questions about everything, which he good-naturedly endured for hours on end.  Like Pat, I'm not a perfect person either, but I'm better for having had him in my life. On Friday I was able to see him a final time.   As he lay in his bed, the cancer rapidly extinguishing his life, I was able to hold his hand and I know he knew me but I was mute with words.  So I guess I'm saying now some of the things that should have been said then.

    Like a giant, stately tree he’s been part of my life’s landscape for as long as I can remember. Like that tree, perhaps I wasn’t always interacting with it or climbing it, but it was still comforting knowing it was there.  And now there’s a big missing spot in my life’s yard where Pat once stood.

    In the end, I think most of us live our lives doing the best we can with what we have and hope it all somehow evens out in the end and usually it does.  With Pat, it did.   AMISH MEETS ITALIAN - EPISODE TWO

     

    « Updated: Chilled Amish Green Bean Casserole Salad
    The Amish Cook: End-of-Summer Recipe Redux »

    About Kevin Williams

    Hi, my name is Kevin Williams and I am owner of Oasis Newsfeatures and editor of The Amish Cook newspaper column.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lillian

      August 22, 2016 at 2:54 pm

      So sorry to hear of your uncle's passing. You were blessed to have him in your life. What a good man to be there for your mother. May he rest in peace.

      Reply
    2. Noreen

      August 22, 2016 at 3:30 pm

      Dear Kevin: Please accept my condolences on the passing of your dear Uncle Pat. Over the years I have felt like I know Pat and your dear grandmother.

      Love,
      Noreen

      Reply
      • Kevin

        August 23, 2016 at 5:18 pm

        Thank you, Noreen!!

        Reply
    3. Carol Anne Crowe Phillips

      August 22, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      I am so sorry for your loss. Losing someone who has always been a fixture in your life is so hard. I have been through this many times. I wish I could tell you the ache eases with time but in my experinece it doesn't ease. It just doesn't hurt as bad all the time. Sometimes it strikes with a greater fierceness than it was at the first though. Perhaps you will find some trace reminiscent of your uncle in your newborn when she arrives. May God comfort your heart in the days to come. Perhaps you might include a character similar to your uncle in a future book. Maybe writing about him would help you.

      Reply
    4. Linda from KY

      August 22, 2016 at 4:23 pm

      I'm so sorry for your loss, Kevin. I enjoyed watching that video with your grandmother and great-uncle Pat. Praying for all of you! What will your grandmother do without her brother/ roommate?

      Reply
    5. Carol

      August 22, 2016 at 5:07 pm

      Dear Kevin, So very sorry for your loss. May the Lord grant you and your family His peace and comfort. Blessings, Carol

      Reply
      • Kevin

        August 23, 2016 at 5:18 pm

        Thank you, Carol!

        Reply
    6. Bonnie P.

      August 22, 2016 at 7:47 pm

      So sorry for your loss. May you and your family be blessed during a difficult time.

      Reply
      • Kevin

        August 23, 2016 at 5:18 pm

        Thank you, Bonnie!

        Reply
    7. Kathleen M.

      August 22, 2016 at 8:33 pm

      I am so sorry for your lose Kevin. I felt like I got to know him through your videos of he and your grandmother. May he Rest In Peace.

      Reply
      • Kevin

        August 23, 2016 at 5:17 pm

        Thanks, Kathleen!

        Reply
    8. Barbara Thomas

      August 22, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      Kevin, I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Pats passing. May God wrap his arms around you and your family during this time. And make sure to give your grandmother hugs and loves....Your friend in SW MO

      Reply
      • Kevin

        August 23, 2016 at 5:17 pm

        Thanks, Barbara, always happy to hear from you!

        Reply
    9. Marlene Nelson

      August 22, 2016 at 9:32 pm

      Sorry to hear about your Uncle Pat, But at least he is out of pain. But you now have a new daughter too think about and that will help the Big hole left in your heart. I always enjoy the video of him and your grandmother.We will be saying some parays for your family. Thank you for sharing them we all of us.
      Marlene

      Reply
      • Kevin

        August 23, 2016 at 5:17 pm

        Thanks, Marlene!

        Reply
    10. Kathy Barnes

      August 23, 2016 at 9:41 am

      Kevin I'm so very sorry for your loss.
      Kathy

      Reply
      • Kevin

        August 23, 2016 at 5:12 pm

        Thanks, Kathy!

        Reply
    11. hmchelen

      August 23, 2016 at 10:56 am

      Kevin so sorry to hear of the loss of your uncle. I know it's hard losing loved ones. Praying for you and all the family.

      Reply
      • Kevin

        August 23, 2016 at 5:12 pm

        Thanks, Helen!

        Reply
    12. Deloris Mulloy

      August 23, 2016 at 11:09 am

      Sorry to hear about the loss of your Uncle Pat. May He REST IN PEACE.

      Reply
      • Kevin

        August 23, 2016 at 5:12 pm

        THanks, Deloris!

        Reply
    13. Hazel

      August 27, 2016 at 10:24 pm

      So sorry to hear of the loss of your uncle. He sounds like a fine man. Thinking of you.

      Reply
    14. Diane

      March 18, 2017 at 6:25 pm

      Sorry for the lost of your Uncle Pat, I shall miss him on your Amish and Italian taste tests.

      Reply
      • Kevin

        March 23, 2017 at 8:37 am

        Thanks, Diane, Pat is missed, so is my Grandma, but they leave behind those fun videos

        Reply

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    Hi There, I'm Kevin!

    Welcome to Amish365, where I share my knowledge of Amish cooking and culture! I’ve spent almost three decades exploring Amish settlements and kitchens from Maine to Montana and almost everywhere in between. I’ll occasionally throw in stories of my travels, journalism adventures (I’m a Pulitzer prize-nominated journalist), fascination with grocery stores and Kmarts, and much more!

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