Ronald James Patrick, 72, died at home on Thursday morning. He was born on January 4, 1940 in Oneonta, the third of Robert and Sally Patrick's six children. Ronald's childhood days were spent studying the Birds of America with his brothers, having adventures with the Boy Scouts, touring the American west with his family, and wiring houses with his father. Ronald attended St. Mary's School, and then Oneonta High School (class of 1957).

Ronald received his bachelor's degree in music education from Ithaca College in 1961. While at Ithaca, he discovered the French horn and played in the orchestras and ensembles at both Ithaca College and Cornell University. Ronald then earned a master of music degree in French horn performance from Indiana University in 1963, and studied French horn performance and orchestral playing at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. Ronald also studied horn with the principal horn players of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, New York philharmonic, and Oslo Symphony Orchestra.

Ronald began teaching private horn lessons in 1961. He took great pride in his students' successes over the decades. His family wishes to thank his recent students for inspiring his full recovery from the stroke he suffered in 2010.

Ronald moved to Schenectady in 1964 and began his career as elementary and junior high band director at Draper School (and later 4th and 5th grade band director at Pinewood School, retiring in 1999) where he taught generations of children to play in the band. He also enjoyed teaching general music classes of all levels from time to time.

1964 also marked the beginning of Ronald's career with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, from which he retired in 1997. In addition, Ronald played horn with the Lake George Opera Festival Orchestra, Berkshire Symphony Orchestra, Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, Vermont State Symphony Orchestra, Schenectady Brass Quintet, Schenectady Chamber Players, Schenectady Horn Quartet and Trio, Schenectady Woodwind Quintet, and with many touring artists who played in the area.

Most Recently, Ronald served as adjunct professor at the Schenectady County Community College, and organized and played in the Music for Fun, Windowseat, and Beat the Snow Concert Series.

Ronald purchased his seven acre "homestead" on Crawford Road in 1969 and launched into a lifetime landscaping and gardening project. He married Christine Senecal in 1972, and, after a honeymoon at Hermit Island in Phippsburg, ME, they set about raising vegetables, fruit, flowers, pigs, and a family.

Ronald enjoyed hobby farming; caring for horses; vacationing at Popham Beach and Owls Head, Maine; discovering young composers and getting his friends to perform their music; planning "whirlwind" trips through the American west, packing in more sights and activities than one could imagine; writing letters and love poems; and making picture and alphabet books for the babies in his life. He lit up the lives of many with gifts of homemade lamps and by wiring houses for his young friends. Playing with his grandchildren was the high point of his life.

Ronald is survived by his wife Christine; daughter Jenny Burch and her partner in life Prescott McCurdy of Harpswell, ME; daughter Lara Patrick of Altamont and her dearest friend Jack Agard; grandchildren Natalie, Isabel and Tristan Burch, and Cyrus McCurdy of Harpswell, ME, and Rachel and Jocelyn Valois of Altamont; brother Richard Patrick and his wife Patsy of Albany, brother Lee Patrick of Lexington, KY, brother Keith Patrick and his wife Beverley of Syracuse, sister Lois Preece of Niota, TN, and brother Thomas Patrick and his wife Melissa of Princeton, NJ; his cousin Linda Terry of Glens Falls; his best friend Shirley Prince of Rotterdam; and many nieces, nephews, and other cousins. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law Charlotte Patrick of Lexington, KY.

Ronald's family would like to thank Schenectady County Hospice for their loving care, guidance and support during his last weeks.

Ronald faithfully supported the St. Labre Indian School for many years. Donations in his memory may be sent to St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, Montana, 59004-1001.

Calling hours will be on Sunday, March 11 from 4 to 7 pm at the Bond Funeral Home, Broadway & Guilderland Ave., Schenectady. A celebration of Ronald's life will be held on Monday, March 12 at 10:00 am at the Bellevue Reformed Church, 2000 Broadway, Schenectady. Burial will be in the Gallupville Rural Cemetery.