Brian Patnode

He was born to Joseph C. and Margaret (Mullan) Patnode on April 10, 1948.

He grew up in Lake Clear, enjoyed the outdoors, but spent a lot of his time outdoors hitchhiking into town to play music in his teenage years. His father got him his first guitar and he taught himself how to play and hungered to learn as much as he could. It turned into a passion that he was proficient at. He played for years in local bands, most notably The Fugitives and The Persuaders, which had a record go statewide. He played in New York City and the Jersey Shore, then found his way to the east coast of Florida, where he performed in bands in the West Palm Beach area for numerous years.

He returned to Saranac Lake in the early ’80s and played in the Helen Hill Band and the Second Wind, but found he would need a “day job” to supplement the days “up the lake” in his boat. So he joined the carpenters’ union for 20 years, in a trade that he was also skilled at and had a passion to learn all he could. When not working a union job, he would find side work with local contractors.

He married Mary LaDue in July of 1985. Over the years, they often talked about traveling the country in a travel trailer, as there was so much to see in our own country. They finally made their first trip in 1998. They loved it so much that they sold their home in 2000, went around the country again seeing family and friends, then settled in Punta Gorda, Florida. The passion for music never left him, so he figured out a gig for both he and Mary to enjoy. They played at various clubs and venues for over ten years, until he experienced breathing issues, which limited his playing.

He is survived by his wife and best friend of 42 years, Mary; one son, Brian, Jr.; three grandchildren, Dalton, Teagan and Bruce, all of Lacey, Washington; a sister, Nancy (Mike) Rosenquist of Potsdam; a half-brother, Joseph Patnode of Lake Clear; a cousin, Paul Patnode of Saranac Lake; along with many friends he acquired over the years in the Punta Gorda area. He was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Gary, and a sister, Kathleen.