Patrick G. Bannerman

EMCS (SW/AW) Patrick G. Bannerman, 59, of Kendall and Sterling, Conn., passed away suddenly June 5, 2019 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was born March 18, 1960 in Montreal, a son of the late Robert Bruce Bannerman and Agnes McGuire.

Fulfilling his dream of adventure, world travel, and life on the high seas, Senior Chief Bannerman enlisted in the U.S. Navy only one month after his June 1978 graduation from Kendall High School. With only four years in the U.S., he selected Great Lakes, Ill. for his basic training, under the buddy system with his classmate, Jeff. Upon graduating, he then attended Basic Electricity /Electronics and Electrician’s Mate “A” schools, also in Great Lakes. At its completion, he received orders to his first ship, the USS Holland (AS-32), homeported in Holy Loch, Scotland. On board, he was first sent to the galley for Food Service Attendant duty. After his 120 days of mess cooking, he finally was assigned to the Engineering Department, where he finally used his talents as an electrician. After 20 months, he received split tour orders and transferred to the USS Mount Baker (AE-34), homeported in Charleston, S.C. His tour there was “haze gray and underway,” which is what you would expect from an ammunition ship. After 13 months, he was considering guard III for orders to Australia, but unfortunately there were not any billets there, so he decided to get out and go into the reserves. After trying civilian life for 89 days, he decided that the Navy was not that bad; at least second classes were not buffing floors. As a NAVET, he received orders to the USS Acadia (AD-42), homeported in San Diego, Calif. It was while onboard the Acadia that he became a Shellback. After two years, he extended a year onboard for rewind school. After successfully graduating from rewind school, he was sent back to the Acadia and became known as the transformer rewind guru. With his third year of duty ending, he decided to make it a career.

Rewarded for his reenlistment decision, he received orders to Service School Command, Great Lakes. There, he taught basic circuits concepts and elevator troubleshooting techniques for four years. He received Master Training Specialist designation and a bachelor of science in vocation education, and then transferred back to sea onboard the USS Midway (CV-41), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. During his 17-month tour, he qualified as Surface Warfare, helped with the efforts during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and visited the Philippines, Hong Kong and Korea. He then cross-decked to the USS Independence (CV-62) during Team Spirit in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Indy returned back to Japan, where he earned the Aviation Warfare designation. He then did a two-month tour with the USS Thach (FFG-43), and received orders to 3M School in Bangor, Wash. After completing the school, he was sent back to Japan for a tour as 3M Coordinator onboard the USS Curts (FFG-38). After serving there three years, he finally headed for his last tour of duty at the Naval Submarine Support Facility in Groton, Conn.

Senior Chief Bannerman is entitled to wear the Navy Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy “E” Ribbon with Silver Wreath (five awards), Good Conduct Medal with four Bronze Stars, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Silver Star, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), and Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait). He is designated, qualified, and wears the Enlisted Surface and Aviation Warfare insignias.

Senior Chief Bannerman was an individual who always found time for people. He was a life member of VFW Post #202 of Holley, a member and past commander of American Legion Post #91 of Moosup, Conn., a life member of AMVETS Post #47, Brooklyn, Conn., and a member of American Legion Post #91 and AMVETS Post #47 Honor Guard.

Patrick is survived by his siblings, MaryElla (Dan Gibbons) Bannerman, James G. (Debbie Hibbard) Bannerman, and Kelsey “David” (Heather Goodman) Bannerman; half-brother, Bruce Robert (Carol) Bannerman; godson, Ryan; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., 16650 Route 31, Holley, on Thu., June 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. only. Burial will be Fri., June 21 at 1 p.m. at Bath National Cemetery with military honors.

Memorials may be made to Holley Post #202 VFW, 8 Veterans Drive, Holley NY 14470; or to any charity with which Patrick was involved.

To share a special memory of Patrick, please visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.