Patrick S. Verdine, 69

Patrick S. Verdine, 69, of Falls Run in Stafford County, passed away after a long battle with leukemia on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at Stafford Hospital.

Mr. Verdine was born November 4, 1945 in Pittston, Pennsylvania, the son of Patrick and Rose Verdine. He later moved to Bristol, Pennsylvania where in 1954, Pat’s father, recognizing his son’s talent for singing, had him take guitar lessons. Pat, a ham at heart, would entertain the neighbors with his impersonations of Elvis Presley. At thirteen, he formed a group called the Del-Fi’s and performed in the Philadelphia area. In 1958, Pat aced a tryout at Chancellor Records and signed a six-year contract as one of the 15 background performers who played guitar and sang at the Marine Ballroom at Atlantic City’s Steel Pier. While under contract, Pat’s quartet also recorded and performed with Bobby Darin, Chubby Checkers, Ray Charles, Brenda Lee and Ricky Nelson.

After his contract expired, Pat decided to enroll at Philadelphia’s NuPauer Conservatory of Music, where he studied drums, guitar, piano, string bass, trumpet and violin as well as classical, jazz and opera. At the conservatory, he had the opportunity to perform with many other professional musicians who were invited to be guest teachers.

Pat entered the U.S. Army in 1972 as a combat engineer, unaware that the military had bands. When his unit was sent to Germany for 2 ½ years, Pat brought along his guitar and sang for fun. As soon as his talents were recognized, he was quickly assigned to a musical unit where he performed with Entertainment Showcase, a military group in the European area. With this group he also entertained at SHAPE Headquarters and other exciting musical shows. After moving from Bamberg, Germany to Worms, Germany to be with Showcase, he met a sergeant named Peggy. They dated and married within six months at the Worms City Hall. After their son, Shawn, was born in September 1976, the Verdines had to choose between Pat or Peggy’s career in the military. They decided that Pat would follow Peggy to her new assignment at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.

Pat then began a new career with the Department of Defense at Cameron Station in Alexandria, Virginia and retired from that position after 25 years. He also continued his military career by joining the 257th DC National Guard Band. After a total of 22 years in the military, Pat retired and in 1994, he became the lead guitarist and vocalist with Ronnie and Boss Cats, a Washington, DC band.

Pat leaves his wife of 39 years, Peggy and his son Shawn. He also has a sister, Phyllis Debnarik of Bristol, PA and two nieces, Karen Fuquay (Kurt) and Heather Bellovin (Hal). He has two great-nieces, Savannah and Emily as well as a great-nephew, Jason.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm on Monday, Nov. 24 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A private graveside service with military honors will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, and P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202.