Clarence "Tony" Sprowls Patterson, Jr.

Clarence “Tony” Sprowls Patterson, Jr., 84, of Washington, departed this Earth, for eternal rest, on Saturday, December 9, 2023.  Born in Washington, on March 5, 1939, he was the youngest of eight children reared by the late Wilzena Thomas Patterson and Clarence Patterson, Sr.

Considered a gifted athlete, Tony parlayed his speed and stature into Little League success playing for the Washington White Sox.  During early adolescence, Tony learned a lesson that progressed quickly into a guiding life principle: how to be self-sufficient.

Employment at the George Washington Hotel, Isaly’s Snack Bar, and Sol Mentz Specialty Store expanded his horizons providing multiple networking opportunities.

Following his graduation, from Washington High School, in 1957, Tony departed the family homestead, on Burton Avenue, and enlisted into the United States Air Force on April 30, 1958.  In his role, as an Air Policeman, Tony traveled to Germany and Libya where he met the love of his life, Maria “Mary” Amalia Mendoza.

On August 29, 1960, the two wed while stationed in Tripoli. Shortly after securing an honorable discharge, in January 1962, the pair remarried upon returning to the United States. The Catholic Church blessed their nuptials, for a third time, because of the unique bond they shared later in life.

Returning to his roots, in western Pennsylvania, Tony resumed his role as a law enforcement officer. As one of the few persons of color to procure a position with the City of Washington Police Department, Mr. Patterson made a notable mark rising to the rank of Sergeant prior to retiring from the squad, after 20 years of tenure, on October 26, 1984.

Post-retirement, Tony relished opportunities where he was reunited with former officers, on patrol, representing the Fraternal Order of Police. The fairways and putting green(s), on the Eastern Seaboard, were a home away from home, for Tony, as he played alongside fellow members of the Swingers’ Golf Club.

Service and sports remained staples of Tony’s trajectory. He was honored, in July 2014, by Who’s Next Sports, in recognition of his outstanding community leadership and lifelong dedication to the citizens of Washington. In October 2015, he was recognized by the Lemoyne Community Center for being a pillar in the region.

There was nothing more personal to Tony than his faith and family. Together with his wife, he was a devout Catholic and longstanding parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church within the Saint James Parish. With the premature passing(s) of his elder brothers and father, Tony became the beloved patriarch of the Patterson tribe for nearly 40 years.

Left to cherish his memory is his “Honey” and loving spouse of 63 years, Mary Mendoza Patterson; children, Alicia Patterson Warren, of Washington, PA, Yolanda J Patterson Bynum Olson, of Houston, TX, and Maniya Patterson Kennedy, of Washington, PA; grandchildren, Idris Patterson, Lionel Bynum, Amalia Bynum, Xavier Warren, Hakeem Warren, Sr., Kashmere Patterson, Esperanza Patterson, and Aurelia Patterson; great-grandchildren, Keairis Patterson, Tateionna Warren, Somiah Warren, Kash Bynum, Selena Warren, Angelito Farmer, Hakeem Warren, Jr., and Saint Williams; great-great grandchild, DeAngelo Johnson; and a host of nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a great-grandchild, Sienna Warren, and seven siblings, John Patterson, George Patterson, Thomas Patterson, Ida Lea, Betty Duncan, Georgia Calloway, and Mabel Anderson.

Friends will be received on Monday, December 18, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. Until 8:00 P.M. in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at E. Katherine Ave., Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Owner/Supervisor, S. Timothy Warco II, Director, Holly Renay Warco, Director, Park N. Crosier, Director.  F.O.P. Lodge #95 will render a service at 7:30 P.M. on Monday in the funeral home.  A blessing service will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 11:30 A.M. in the funeral home with the Rev. Dilio Onyejiuwa officiating.  Interment will follow at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, PA.  Full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post #175 and the United States Air Force.  Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com