Patrick Dignan

February 6, 1931 to January 30, 2021

Born in Albany, Ore., Feb. 6, 1931, Pat died of natural causes this past week. This proud Irishman was the third of four children born to Vera Burke Dignan and Wayne Dignan. Pat attended grade school in Albany and continued high school in Salem, Franklin in Portland, and graduated from Newport High School. Pat put himself through the University of Oregon setting chokers in logging camps. He joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and, in 1952 – 1953, was elected Student Body President of the University, as well as editor of The Daily Emerald. Pat was an Oregon track athlete under coach Bill Bowerman. He met his future wife, Andy Dignan, at the U of O and they married in the summer of 1953. Pat and Andy have three children … Todd, Laurie, and Ted … the pride of their lives.

Following his University graduation, Pat entered the Air Force as a Lieutenant and retired two years later as a Captain. He was based at Roslyn Air Force Station on Long Island, N.Y. Returning to Portland, Pat immediately joined Northwest Natural Gas Co., retiring 32 years later as Vice President of Marketing. He played and coached the Gasco Tailblazes, a company intramural basketball team for employees.

Pat was named Portland’s Junior Chamber of Commerce Junior First Citizen in 1960 and chaired the fifth annual Jesuit Auction, one of his many volunteer positions associated with his children’s interests. He was the chair of the 1997 Portland Homebuilders Street of Dreams. The family owned Blazer tickets from the team’s founding until 1996. A 50 plus year family member of Portland Golf Club, Pat’s dining room attendance surpassed his rounds of golf over the years! Pat and Andy were Quarterly Club Dance Club members for over 50 years and U of O Alumni Association members.

Pat is survived by his wife of 68 years, Andy; and children, Todd (Twyla), Laurie, and Ted (Magen); grandchildren, Peter Mohling (Michelle), Kristina Lawson (Ben), Jenny Martens (Danny), Sean Dignan, Mitchell Dignan, and Seamus Dignan; great-granddaughter, Chloe Martens will be joined by Baby Boy Martens in April; sister, Connie Dignan Gainer; as well as many loving nieces and nephews and beloved friends and neighbors are wishing God’s blessing on Patrick and yourselves … “May the luck of the Irish enfold you.” Memorials may be sent to Albertina Kerr, 424 N.E. 22nd Ave., Portland, OR 97232 or a charity of your choice. The family is grateful for the loving care from Fieldstone Cornell Assisted Living and wonderful Hospice.

[Editor] Read more about Patrick Dignan:

• Pat and Andy Dignan
• CENTURY HOMES: Pat and Andy Dignan

Pat Dignan beside Century Home plaque