Chief Kenneth Patterson

Chief Kenneth Patterson of the Tuscarora Nation, passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at his home under the care of his family and Niagara Hospice.  A member of the Wolf Clan, born on the Tuscarora Nation on January 3, 1927, the son the late Chief Harry and Barbara [Chew] Patterson.

Chief Patterson served with the US Army during the Korean War.   Upon returning from the war, he started work at Moore Business Forms where he worked for 24 years and later with Prestolite Battery for more than 14 years, before retiring in 1987.   He also lectured a NCCC for over 20 years on the history of the  Indians in the Americas.

Chief Patterson was a member of the Tuscarora Baptist Church and Tuscarora Temperance Society. the Sanborn Historical Society, Ransomville Masonic and Scottish Rite Lodge, where he served as a past master and the Ismailia Shrine.

Growing up he helped on the family farm and as a young man,  participated in 4H, took flying lessons and enjoyed basketball, lacrosse and water skiing among other activities.   Later in life, he enjoyed traveling, especially to areas rich in native history.   He was also an avid photographer capturing many of his life's moments.   In 1971, he continued his love of sports by starting the Tuscarora Clan League basketball league on the Tuscarora Nation. In 1954, he was condoled as a Chief of the Wolf Clan and proudly served the Tuscarora Nation for the rest of his life.   Among all his duties, he diligently maintained and expanded  Mt. Hope Cemetery on the Tuscarora Nation, the Tuscarora Gymnasium (the Ol' gym)  and "The picnic grove" where the annual Tuscarora Picnic is held.    

Chief Patterson is survived by his wife of 61 years Florence [Rickard] Patterson, whom he married on June 20, 1959, his daughters Joanie (Billy) Smith, Cathy Curtis and Sharon (Dave) Foy, grandchildren Cleyton, Alana, Meagan (Moe Powless) and Nolan Smith, Isaac Patterson, Iris Curtis, Tiffany, Emily, Noah (Gayla Kessinger-Adams) and Jacob (Kaitlyn Dunbar) Henry, great grandchildren Harley, Novalee and Atticus Printup, Liam and Penelope Reading and Rowan Patterson and Cali Powless, also many nieces and nephews.   He was the brother of late Chief David "Manny", Titus "Ti", Franklin "Short", Leander "Doc", Donald "Nick" and Clifford Patterson and Eliza "Ruth" (late Edison "Perry") Mt. Pleasant.

His family will be present on Friday from 3-7 PM at the RHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 5893 Hoover Road, SANBORN, NY.

Private Funeral Services will be held at wishes of his family.

Flowers are gratefully declined.   Memorials may be made in his name to the Tuscarora Baptist Church AWANA Program or Niagara Hospice.

Interment with military honors in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

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