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St. Pete Crash Claims Pillar Of Ohio Community

Family photo

Henry “Hank” Patricy, a 46-year-old husband and father of five from Perry, Ohio, was killed Friday evening in a wreck on Interstate 275 that authorities say was caused by a drunken driver.

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - In Perry, Ohio, they are going to need a new baseball coach for the 14-year-olds.

The Bridge Band, which plays contemporary Christian music, is going to need a new bass player.

And the troubled youth in the county juvenile detention center are going to need someone else to help them with their Bible studies.

Henry "Hank" Patricy, a 46-year-old husband and father of five, filled all these roles. But he was killed Friday evening in a wreck on Interstate 275 that authorities say was caused by a drunken driver.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Joseph Lenahan, a 33-year-old construction worker, was driving recklessly when he suddenly cut across three northbound lanes near 54th Avenue North.

His 2000 Chevrolet Astro then struck the end of a concrete construction barrier and flew, overturning in the air, the patrol said. When it landed, it came down on top of a 1997 Plymouth Voyager driven by Patricy.

Lenahan, who lives in Largo, was charged with driving under the influence manslaughter. His blood alcohol level was .309 percent – more than three times the threshold at which a driver in Florida is presumed intoxicated, jail affidavits say.

Patricy was described by friends as a devout Christian who was patient and humble and would do anything for anybody, whether it was on the baseball or football field, in church, or in the local juvenile detention center.

"He would be the first guy to forgive the driver," said Todd Greathouse, a friend of Patricy's who is the executive director of the company that oversees Jacobs Field and Quicken Loans Arena.

"We used to call people pillars of the community and Hank was one of those pillars," said Randy Lundi, another friend who now lives in West Palm Beach. "It's going to be a loss for the community."

Patricy was in St. Petersburg for this past weekend's boat show to hawk his invention, a large, waterproof, Velcro-type strap used for maritime hauling and to tie boats to docks, friends said.

He had been having a tough time selling his wares because similar products manufactured in China had undercut his in price, and he was having a hard time supporting his family, said Laurie Gilbert, a singer in the band Patricy played in.

His house was being foreclosed upon and today the Patricy family received a notice their power was being shut off, Gilbert said. One reason he was at the St. Petersburg boat show was to earn enough money to buy his children Christmas gifts, Gilbert said. Their ages range from 9 to 16.

On Dec. 16, there will be a benefit at Perry High School for the Patricy family featuring Patricy's band, Gilbert said.

A memorial fund also has been set up for Patricy's family. Donations to The Hank Patricy Family Memorial Fund can be made at any Chase bank.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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