BANGOR, Maine — Leroy Patterson made quite a first impression on the new Bangor High School football coach when he first came out for preseason practice at Garland Street Field before the start of the 1959 season.
“I knew I had a good one in Leroy,” said Gerry Hodge, who had just taken over the Bangor program after previously coaching at Mexico High School.
Hodge turned out to be a good judge of athletic talent, because Patterson went on to become one of the top athletes in Bangor High School history — starring in baseball, gaining All-Maine honors in basketball and earning a Division I scholarship in football.
“He was one of the finest all-around athletes I’ve ever seen,” said Hodge. “He was a wonderful young man to coach, I can surely say that. He was one of my all-time favorites.”
Patterson, who went on to have a 33-year career with the University of Maine police department, died Wednesday morning of cancer at his home in Winterport. He was 67.
“He was at the very top of a short list of the best athletes ever to play at Bangor High School,” said current Bangor High School athletic administrator Steve Vanidestine. “And as a person he was one of the very best I ever met.”
Patterson was a halfback and defensive back for the Bangor football team who twice was named a high school All-American for the Rams before graduating in 1962.
“As a young boy growing up in Bangor when he was playing, I went to all of his games because he was someone you wanted to see play,” said Vanidestine. “When you heard Leroy’s name called, you paid because he did some great things out there.”
Patterson also was a star outfielder on the Rams’ baseball team and a two-time Bangor Daily News All-Maine selection in basketball.
Patterson, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward, earned second-team all-state honors as a junior for coach Red Barry’s club, then earned first-team recognition as a senior when he led Bangor to the 1962 Eastern Maine Class LL championship.
Patterson finished his basketball career with more than 1,000 points, a relatively rare feat at the time for players at the Class LL (now Class A) level.
“He was quite a scorer and rebounder,” said Hodge. “I think he really loved basketball more, but football was his best sport.
“He was as good an athlete as anybody here in Bangor.”
That football prowess led to an athletic scholarship from the University of Cincinnati, where in Patterson’s first year with the Bearcats he was named most valuable player of the freshman football team.
“[Old Town native] Dick MacPherson was his position coach at Cincinnati, and Dick said Leroy was one of the best recruits he ever had,” said Hodge. “I remember getting a call from Dick later, and he said, ‘If you have anyone else like him, send him out here.’
“Leroy had both speed and athleticism. He was very fast.”
Patterson’s career path eventually led him to the University of Maine, where he joined the police department in 1977 and had an impact on generations of college students with his calm, friendly demeanor.
“He touched a lot of lives at the University of Maine,” said current University of Maine police chief Roland Lacroix. “To this day people at football games will come up and ask if Leroy was still working with us because they remembered him from when they were students here.
“He was that father figure to so many people. He was laid back, but you knew if he said something, you better do it.”
Patterson remained on the university’s police force, eventually advancing to the rank of sergeant, until his retirement in 2010.
“He was a good employee who never, ever complained, at least to me,” said Lacroix. “And if you ever needed something, he’d be the first to step up.”
Patterson also was a fixture as part of the security patrol at most University of Maine home sports contests.
“He loved the University of Maine, and I think he loved the the University of Maine police department,” said Lacroix. “And he loved the Black Bears.”
Patterson also remained heavily involved with the Bangor sports scene, following his four children through their Bangor High School careers and through volunteer work with programs including the local YMCA and Bangor Youth Football.
“Leroy had a way of making making people feel better,” said former Bangor High School and Husson University football coach Gabby Price. “Everybody felt like they knew Leroy because he made them feel so comfortable around him.”
Patterson also officiated basketball, football and baseball games in the area for many years.
“He always was good with the kids,” said Smokey Lawrence of Bangor, a lifelong friend of Patterson’s and a fellow sports official. “He would teach the kids what they needed to work on, and he was well-liked by everybody.”
Lawrence and Patterson officiated basketball together mostly at the middle-school level for more than three decades, while Patterson also worked baseball and football games up through the high school ranks — and continued to officiate youth football games through last fall.
“Leroy was the type of person who was right there anytime anyone needed help,” Lawrence said.
Patterson was inducted into the Maine Sports Legends four years ago.
“The thing I’ll miss about him the most,” said Price, “was his quietness, his humility and his competitive spirit and passion. He had a great way of dealing with people of all different ages.”
RIP Leroy. I had the pleasure of playing ball with your son’s. Also fantastic athletes. You will be missed. Thank you for being a positive member of our community. My best wishes to your children and all who loved you.
RIP. His name generally was in the lead of articles about Bangor High School sports.
I knew nothing of the man when I first helped him in a hardware store in the late eighties. The store owner was very familiar with him and filled me in after Mr. Patterson made his purchase and left. On top of being the nicest, most genteel person, he turned out to be a legendary athlete from Bangor. From that point forward whenever I saw him it put a smile on my face for some reason. What a great role model. Although you would not know me from Adam, I am glad to have known who you were, Mr. Patterson.
I had the privilege of growing up with Leroy. We had many great times playing sports at Newberry Park, where much of our childhood was spent. I considered Leroy a very good friend, who would do anything for you. He was not only a good friend, he was like a brother, who will be sadly missed. Condolences to his children and family during these difficult times. You’ll always be in my thoughts! Love ya, Man.
My condolences to Sgt. Patterson’s family. What a fine example of life well lived. He was a beautiful man, athlete, career police officer, mentor. In his police work at the U. of ME., I interacted with him on numerous occasions over the years, and one word sums up his character: exemplary. A great man has no need to pump himself up with demonstrations of ego. True greatness and humility walk hand in hand, and Sgt. Patterson lived this truth. In the face of losing him, I hope you find comfort in knowing he has transcended the illness that caused so much suffering.
And to the University of Maine Police Department, how sad to lose another colleague and friend. You’ve had an unusual string of recent losses of former members of the Department, and that takes a toll on everyone’s emotions. I hope the University is providing grief support during this difficult time.
I remember Leroy as a baseball umpire in the late 80’s. If I had the choice, he would have done the plate at every one of our games. You could tell he was as great person and really enjoyed what he was doing. RIP Leroy.
Being the same age as Gabby Price, and growing up in Bangor during the same era, I can only agree 100% with Gabby’s thoughtful and knowing words.
Go with God Leroy…
What a sad day in Bangor for anyone that has every played football in high school. I had the please of seeing Leroy on a regular basis as i played football for John Bapst and he and Smoky were our regular referees. What a classy man he always was and he was always quick to make a joke and check on the guys to make sure they were all right. I will sincerely miss him. My prayers to his family, expcially his son who i also had the pleasure of playing ball against.
He refereed many of my middle-school basketball games back in the ’90s. He was fair and a kind man with a wonderful sense of humor. The Maine sports world has lost a mighty contributor.
Mr. Patterson was a wonderful man who will be missed by many. He lived his life to the fullest. I am proud to have known him and to be friends with his wonderful children. Rest in peace Leroy. I know that even now that you are gone you will still continue to have an impact on alot of peoples lives. My thoughts and prayer’s are with his family and loved ones.
I had the honor of working with and for this kind and gentle man at UMPD. RIP Leroy
I worked with Leroy at the University of Maine. He was a very well liked man. Deepest sympathy to his family.
Sad to see him go, He was a great guy and always made you feel like you were important and he appreciated your input. A good and fair referee too. While playing I could never seem to get mad at him no matter the call. He always had that infectious smile. God Bless you, Mr. Patterson
RIP Leroy. You were a wonderful role model for your children and all others. You were a legend in your time. My husband graduated from Bangor High in the same class as you and we always had wonderful conversations about what a fabulous athlete you were and an even better person. You will be missed.
Leroy coached my son in youth football for several years. The lessons that Leroy taught him on a football field remain with him today. Leroy will be sorely miss by everyone who has had any contact with him.
played against leroy in basketball. he was a hard guy to stop.rip mr patterson.
Me too moosehunter — ; he was a heck of a player – ; – – later he refereed many of our Y games –class act-humble.
I’m sure he’s getting a pick-up game going upstairs.
Sad news of the death of a wonderful man. I had the pleasure of working with him while I was a student @ UMPD for 4 yrs. Sorry, Leroy, that I never learned to direct traffic with a flair, although you patiently tried to teach me! Lots of happy memories working with Leroy. After graduation, I didn’t see him for several years, and ran into him in the mens sporting clothes section of TJ Maxx. I did not think he would recognize me after all those years, but when we made eye contact, out came his arms offering a big hug! I felt fortunate every time I saw him over these last few years and its a sad thought that that is not going to be happening again. His smile and his way were something special. RIP Leroy.
He was my Pop Warner coach and used to run Dale and I up and down the hill at Garland street for screwing around!! He would hold my face shield and start to give me hell and then start laughing and send me running again. He always remembered me and ALWAYS had a smile. I learned to love the game of football from this man and I’ll miss seeing him at Mardens! At 40 years old I still called him coach!! RIP Coach Patterson you will be missed!!
I’ve known Mr Patterson since 1985 when I was 12 years old. At a time when I thought I knew everything and my life could have gone in many different directions I had the opportunity to have a couple conversations with him (he did the talking, I did the listening).
I played all the sports and Leroy and Smokey seemed to officiate every game back then. After one Jr High Basketball game Leroy approached me and told me I was a very good athlete but my attitude stunk. He told me that I needed to stop complaining about calls, listen to my coach, not back talk, and respect my teamates as well as the game. To a 13-14 year old boy back then Leroy was a mountain of a man and only had to walk into the gym or onto the field to command respect. I remember wanting to prove him wrong about me so I started to try and impress him.
A few games later, it may have even been into baseball season he approached me and basically let me know that he had noticed my change in attitude and looked forward to watching me play in high school. For some reason, I never forgot that!
Over the years, I would run into him from time to time (3-4 times a year) He always went out of his way to speak to me and ask me how I was doing. One of the last times I had the pleasure of speaking to him at length he was officiating an alumni football game at Bucksport High School I was playing in…he was joking with all of us and having a great time with it. Looking back on it…makes me smile
RIP Leroy…you will be missed!
I had the privilige of playing at BHS on the same team with leroy.. a great person and one heck of a football player… 131 or 939 were money plays for leroy and as he scampered around the corner there was no telling what kind of moves he was going to imploy on his way to paydirt.. I loved playing summer ball against him .. I was a catcher and he always tried to steal home..I ate his spikes more than once… we will all miss him and wish his family well