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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

O. Patrick “Pat” Struve

We are heartbroken to share that O. Patrick “Pat” Struve passed away on April 7, 2020. A native of Texas, Pat was born in El Paso and raised in Corpus Christi, and showed immense musical talent at an early age; by the age of 15 Pat was performing in dance halls with his saxophone and clarinet, and as a young man he was selected to play the oboe and English horn in both the Corpus Christi and the Shreveport Symphony Orchestras.

Pat attended DelMar College to continue his musical education, where in true fairytale fashion he took piano lessons with a student teacher named Irene, who would soon become his wife. Together, Pat and Irene were led by a shared love of music to Irene’s alma mater, Northwestern University, where during this time Pat’s passion for music and his fluency with musical instruments led him to answer his life’s true calling as a salesman, connecting musicians with the ideal instruments for them – violins, pianos, organs, and horns – you name it, Pat could sell it! Pat knew music so well that he was able to make the perfect match, time and time again, for thousands of musicians, orchestras, and companies over the course of his decades in sales.

For the last 45 years Pat and his family lived in Delaware, and after retiring from a long and successful career selling pianos and a huge variety of instruments, Pat and Irene, together with their beloved dog Katie, moved to Pot Nets, where Pat was able to thrive and dive headfirst into another passion of his – boating, fishing, and taking rides in the golf cart! Pat continued to serve his community by headlining the advertising for the Pot Nets Homeowners Association, and made wonderfully creative use of his retirement by woodworking, inventing, and even crafting custom fishing rods for like-minded avid fishermen and boaters like himself.

Pat will be remembered and honored for his sharp sense of humor, his immense musical talent, his bright and creative nature, and for being the patriarch of a family who adored him. He is predeceased by his devoted wife Irene, his sister Sarah, his brother-in-law Bill, his son-in -law Danny, and his beloved dog Katie. Pat is survived and missed by his son Paul Struve, his daughter Terry Struve, his daughter Shelley Sullivan, and his grandchildren Lisa and Sarah Struve, and Danny and Bridget Sullivan.

Funeral Services

A celebration of Pat’s life will take place at a time in the future yet to be announced, and the family looks forward to it with full hearts.

Condolences

    Sue Goon lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Shelley and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a gem. I remember hanging out at your house and your dad would come through the kitchen and crack jokes. He had a warm smile on his face and always went out of his way to make me feel welcome. He was a very kind gentleman and truly loved his family. I will remember him fondly.
    04/14/2020 05:10 pm
    Joan Fasullo lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Shelley, Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your father. He was a very talented man, and I always enjoyed his lighthearted banter and twinkling eyes. May choirs of angels lead him into Paradise, and may he rest in eternal peace, finally reunited with your mom.
    04/14/2020 10:06 pm
    Susan Barrowman Radice (Sue) lit a candle and writes,
    My sympathies and love go out to the Struve family. I have known "Pat" for many years stemming from my long friendship with Terry, Shelley, and Paul. What a funny man that I will never forget! My earliest memories are too many to list and probably best shared at the tribute gathering in the future. He was kind, talented, and yes even sold me a baby grand some years back. I hadn't seen Pat in years but always smiled when I heard his name or a thought of him. I'm so sorry for his passing but know he had a wonderful, full, loving, amazing life... Love, Sue
    04/15/2020 09:06 am
    Hazel Kirk writes,
    Shelley and Terry, though I never knew your father, it sounds like he was a wonderful person; I know you and your family sorely miss him. I hope the comfort of good memories will sustain you. I can say from experience that you will always think of him and be reminded of his imprint on your lives; and thus, he will always be with you. We should all hope to have a life so well-lived and a family so loving!
    04/15/2020 10:08 am
    Cathy Stamegna writes,
    Oh, how I think of Irene and Pat often. We'd watch him standing in his boat from our kitchen window and dubbed him, "Cap'n Pat." I learned a lot from him, and I will forever associate the tune, "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" with his arrangement of it, often played at Wilm Piano Co. where we worked together for four years. Please know how much he meant to our family.
    04/16/2020 04:18 pm
    The Mills Family lit a candle and writes,
    Terry & family - We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know we are thinking of you and sending you our thoughts and prayers at this time. 💞 - Ryan, Jill, Makenna, & Collin Mills
    04/16/2020 05:06 pm
    Cat Meholic lit a candle and writes,
    My condolences, Terry. You always had such touching and funny stories about your dad. I'm sorry for you loss, and hope you find comfort in your family at this time.
    04/16/2020 08:52 pm
    Steve Savidge lit a candle and writes,
    So sorry to hear of your loss. I spent many years as a kid fishing with Pat and Paul, days on the water that directed my path in life. Pat always had something funny and colorful to say. I remember fishing with the rods and lures that he created, he had a way of re-creating things with his own artistic flare. Thanks for the valuable memories.
    04/17/2020 07:45 am
    Jackie Feldman lit a candle and writes,
    I was so sorry to read of Pat's passing. I took piano lessons from Irene many years ago. I walked from my house on Oak Lane Rd to Alders Drive where Irene did her very best to make the adult in me relax and enjoy the process. I finally gave up after every seven years. Irene never gave up! We stayed friends until she and Pat moved from Oak Lane Manor. Pat always welcomed me into the studio when he was at home on my lesson day, and he always had time to chat if I happened to be walking by their house when he was working in the yard. I still live on Oak Lane Road, and after all these years I fondly remember your parents as I drive by their house on my way to Concord Pike.
    04/19/2020 08:38 am

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