Patrick Jay McLead, 74, of Delaware passed away peacefully late Sunday evening, Jan. 9, at the Delaware Court Health Care Center in Delaware surrounded by his loving family.

He was born October 5, 1947 in Delaware to the late Jay and Mary (Burch) McLead. He grew up in Kilbourne, Ohio and graduated from Buckeye Valley High School in 1965. Pat proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy as an air traffic controller.

Pat graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in business administration and worked at Burrell Insurance in Delaware.

He was active in many different community charities, clubs and organizations including the Delaware Hayes High School Boosters Club, Optimist Club and the Elks Lodge.

Pat was a coach for his boys in various youth sports such as baseball and soccer never missing any of their sports or activities. He loved to play softball and bowl.

Pat groomed Standardbreds during his years at Ohio State and was part of the radio broadcast team for the Little Brown Jug from approximately 1985-1991. His son Joe is the owner/operator of Sugar Valley Farm in Delaware, Ohio.

On November 8, 1991, Pat had a brain aneurysm that changed the course of his life forever. He spent the last years of his life as his jovial self, spreading his contagious laughter and smiles to anyone that crossed his path at the Delaware Court Health Care Center. He was always the life of the party and always had a quick joke.

Pat was a loving, caring and happy person, always having a kind word about everyone. He was one great person and anyone who knew him, loved him. Pat was always offering a lending hand and made sure other people were just as happy as he was.

He was an awesome husband and dad!

Pat is survived by his soulmate and love of his life, Linda; sons, Joe (Patty) and Jason McLead; grandson, William Patrick McLead; sisters, Kathy (Jim) Bargar, Julie Snyder, and Debbie (Ray) Brenner; brother-in-law, Billy Walters; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, Jan. 16 from 2–5 p.m. at the Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center, 101 Valleyside Drive at W. William Street, Delaware, where services celebrating Pat’s life will be held on Monday, Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Greenmound Cemetery in Kilbourne, Ohio with military honours provided by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1095 and members of the United States Navy.

The family respectfully asks that all in attendance please monitor their health and symptoms for any sign of COVID prior to attending. If in attendance, please wear a face mask despite vaccine status and refrain from hugging.

The family also requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Pat's name be made to Delaware Court Health Care Center (Activities Fund), 4 New Market Drive, Delaware, Ohio 43015.

The Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center is honoured to serve this veteran and his family. To share a fond memory of Pat or to offer a condolence to his family, please visit snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Patrick McLead.