McCabe Funeral Home

Mr. Patterson leaves an everlasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to meet him.

My condolences to Phyllis & family. Bruce was a lion of a man, kind, witty & wise. I am grateful for having known and worked with him, and will keep all of you in my prayers.

BRUCE was a outstanding public servant, that was a good friend to many, especially in the dcc/ cww cities/twps, bruce loved his family,our state, and our country, may his soul, rest in peace, jim perry

I am so sorry to hear about Bruce. He was such a great friend and I have many wonderful memories of him. I hope he is now in a beautiful, pain free, and peaceful place. I send my love and condolences to Phyllis, Justin, Denise, Lauren, and their families...??Karen

Phyllis and Family. What a wonderful man, Bruce. At times Irascible, Loveable and Particular (all at once). Always left us with a smile and wishing for another day. We were blessed to have him in our hearts. We were always in his and may it be so in Eternity. John Llewellyn Fremont, Mi

My prayers and love to Saint Phyllis (as he would say) and the Patterson family and innumerable friends. I was honored to serve under him during his eight years in the state Senate. He was and still is a man I look up to. After all, don't we all at his height? But truly, he loved his service in the Senate, his colleagues, his constituents of both parties, his community, and his beloved family. And how could we not know it when he would grab us in his great BP bear hug? We were truly lucky. Michigan and his community were lucky. And the restaurants in his district were lucky as he proudly would proclaim he was "eating his way through the district". I recall a particular joy he had during March is reading month. Rather than read a book to elementary kids, he would hold a mock legislative session in the classroom. I'm sure the children and teachers would recall the excitement and sugar buzz to this day. Yeah, I loved BP. We all loved him. A man of many talents. He taught me a lot. I will see you again one day my friend.

I first met Bruce when we served together for two terms in the House. He was an imposing, some might say intimidating figure. Tall, florid, silver hair and a confident way of arguing his case. I got to know Bruce much better when we both were elected to the Senate and had our offices on the same floor of the Farnum Building. Despite our party and policy differences we developed a friendship and a mutual respect for one another. That friendship and respect grew when we served together on the Energy Committee and a couple other committees. Bruce was a solid public servant, always looking out for the people of his district and the state of Michigan. Michigan is a better place for his leadership. I will miss him deeply. May his family know that their sorrow is shared by so many of us who knew Bruce from his days in Lansing.

To Phyllis and the entire Patterson family: My condolences on the loss of this gentle giant. My fear of Bruce when I started as staff in the Senate subsided over an agreement for 2 school stop lights in exchange for mining credits in his utility bill (SB332). Forever my ally and forever my friend, I can't say enough for how much I admired this man as a mentor and a true friend. He was the epitome of a good human and Will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know him.

My sincere condolence to family. I will, remember Bruce in my prayers. Also, some of the "nutty" jokes e told me.

My condolences to the family. I was honored to be a member of the House Republican central staff and to work with one of Bruce's colleagues when he was in the Senate. I always admired his tenacity in his service and his true devotion to family and to the people he served. I will forever remember and appreciate the twinkle in his eyes. Eternal rest grant him, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine on him. May his and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.

RIP Bruce. Thank you for your many years of valuable service to our community. Deepest condolences to Phyllis and family.

Condolences to Phyllis the children. Bruce and I go back 67 years. Bruce wanted to learn about hunting in 1958. Bruce' father who worked with my uncle at Burroughs brought Bruce out to the farm for a day of hunting. My uncle, Bill , and Bruce walked the fields all day and may have seen about one hen pheasant. My buddy and I arrived about 5 PM with our dogs. We got out of our car and loaded up and started thru the field that they had just came thru and were getting into their car. My buddy and I went about two hundred feet and as Bruce told it (I don't remember) two rooster pheasants flushed and I shot them both). I never saw three people jump out of their car so fast and join us in the hunt for the rest of the evening. Richard Sharland

Bruce Patterson was one of the finest Irishmen I have ever known. He was a great American and a wonderful friend. R.I.P.