Patricia Gebhardt
1933 - 2022
Obituary
Surrounded by her family, Patricia “Pat” Hamel Gebhardt passed on to her eternal life on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at The Nottingham in DeWitt, NY.
Born and raised in Syracuse, NY, Pat was a graduate of St. Anthony of Padua and studied at Le Moyne College. As a teen, she was an operator at the telephone company in Syracuse and worked in the accounting department of Farmers and Traders. She was secretary for her husband’s contracting company, Gebhardt Associates Inc., while raising her family. Patricia volunteered her time and creativity to fundraising for the Corinthian Club’s Wagon Wheel senior center, Crouse Hospital Auxiliary Lights of Love and Syracuse Stage Guild.
Pat rooted on Syracuse University’s Orangemen for more than 60 years, even taking road trips to watch their football and basketball games. She was an avid doubles tennis player and strong bowler, and she golfed with her husband and friends at The Cavalry Club in Manlius. A former Syracuse Post-Standard Cook of the Week, Patricia was the consummate hostess in her DeWitt home, where she set magical holiday and birthday tables with elegant china, crystal and silverware, unique candles and charming knickknacks.
Patricia experienced the world with her husband and dear friends in Hawaii, Spain, Germany and Italy. Sunny Palm Desert, California rejuvenated Pat for 20 winters, while summer family reunions were made merry on Lake Ontario.
Patricia’s French descendants, who sailed into Quebec City in 1656, were among the original settlers of Canada. Her hardy pioneer stock was evident by how Patricia bravely faced, without complaint, the physical maladies she confronted in her later years.
A lifelong cheerleader, Patricia always offered words of encouragement and wisdom, whether to family, friends or someone she just met. She wanted her “kids” to know how proud she was of them; they were such a source of love and joy in her life no matter near or far. Patricia is our family’s star who will always hold us in her orbit of warmth and light. Her laughter, smile and famous wink will be missed by all who knew her.
Patricia was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband of 54 years, Wesley Gebhardt; son, Steven Gressani; and parents, Helen Guarasce and Bernard Hamel. She is survived by daughter, Cheryl Gressani (Randall Korman) and sons, James Gebhardt (Beth) and Scott Gebhardt (Patty); grandchildren, Alexander Korman, Kelsey Gressani (Matt Jatczak), Emily Patricia, Christian, Grace Elizabeth Hamel, Jack and Grant Gebhardt, Philip (Kelley) and John (Sydney) Capin; great-grandson, Remy Steven Jatczak, whom Patricia was thrilled to hold for the first time this past July; and great-granddaughters, Finley and Camden Capin. Pat’s fun-to-be-with cousins fill her photo albums with memories to be shared by future generations.
Patricia’s long and fruitful life will be celebrated on Monday, December 19 starting with calling hours 9:30 to 11:00 am at the Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon at Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee Street, DeWitt. After Mass, interment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery, adjacent to the church.
The family requests those visiting the funeral home wear face masks to reduce the transmission of respiratory illnesses.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Food Bank of Central New York.