Patrick J. McElliott (1947-2021)

MCELLIOTT, O’NEIL, STARK, LARKIN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/13/2021 at 12:16:27

PATRICK J. MCELLIOTT

Cedar Rapids

Patrick J. McElliott, 74, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, at Mercy Medical Center. Family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at Stewart-Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, 1844 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A rosary and vigil service will begin at 4 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with an additional visitation for one hour prior to the service. Burial to follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Those unable to attend the Funeral Mass are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Pat's Tribute Wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.

Pat was born on July 27, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of James "Cap" and Colette (O'Neil) McElliott. Pat attended St. Patrick's Catholic School in Ryan, Iowa, then transferred to West Delaware High School in Manchester. Following his education, Pat went to work for the Amana Society building furniture. His next venture was in Cedar Rapids working with Ron Davis at Elm Standard as a mechanic learning the trade. Pat then went to work at Penick & Ford while also doing construction work helping to build Collins.

Pat married Diane Stark Nov. 6, 1970, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. He then transitioned to Craemer's Department Store as a salesman in the shoe department, working his way to become a shoe buyer and manager of the Lindale and Downtown stores. Upon the closing of Craemer's he met Gary Wakefield. Gary offered Pat a Country Kitchen franchise. Pat accepted the offer and was trained by George and Cheryl Irish at the 6th Street Country Kitchen. Upon completing his training Pat opened the Marion, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Country Kitchens. He transitioned from Country Kitchen to owning and operating six Happy Chef restaurants.

After the restaurant, venture Pat sold office supplies for Erb's. Following that he did landscaping. Pat then returned to the food industry working for Godfather's as an operations manager in states ranging from Minnesota to Texas. After living on the corporate side for a few years, Pat decided to be his own boss again and open his own restaurant, The Sports Page. After 10 years, he sold it and in 1994 went into home improvement sales for US Window.

Diane died Jan. 8, 2005. Pat married Cindy Larkin March 25, 2006, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids.

Pat's Catholic Faith was important to him and he tried to encourage all he knew to follow God's laws. He was known for his hard work ethic and ability to get the job done.

Pat is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 15 years, Cindy; sisters, Jan (George) Howes of Shawnee, Kan., Judy (Jerry) Flanagan of Cedar Rapids, Jeanine Reilly of Ankeny, Jayne (Gary) Shuster of Dubuque and brother, Mike (Diane) McElliott of Ryan; sister-in-law, Linda Wilkins; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Richard; infant sister, Patricia; first wife, Diane; sister, Joanne Drahozal; and brothers-in-law, Gil Wilkins, Jerry Drahozal and John Reilly.

In lieu of flowers or memorials for Pat, the family respectfully requests praying for Pat or having a Mass offered for him.