The hearts of Patrick Beatty’s family and friends were broken by his sudden death in an automobile accident that took his life and left his bride of four days in hospital.
Patrick’s life story is of a person who inspired joy in everyone he met. His intelligence, his love, his loyalty, and his spirit of fun gave him a special gift for making and keeping lifelong friends.
He spent his early days in Fergus before moving to Ottawa in 1995, where he attended high school at Ashbury College. Ashbury introduced Patrick to the close-knit group of friends who would remain an important part of his life, many of whom became familiar faces in the Beatty household. It also fostered a lifelong passion for learning. It was at Ashbury that Patrick discovered his love of the dramatic arts and creative writing, interests that, for a time, inspired dreams of becoming a film director.
He earned his undergraduate degree at Western University in London and a Master of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. Driven by his insatiable curiosity, he achieved his target of reading one hundred books on a wide range of topics in a single year. At the time of his death, he was over halfway through an MBA from Dalhousie University.
Patrick was nineteen when his beloved older brother, Christopher, died in a motorcycle accident in Thailand. Losing Christopher taught Patrick about the fragility of life, the importance of relationships, and the need to use our time to make a difference. He promoted organ donation and became active in politics to contribute to his country and community. He respected anyone who made a similar commitment regardless of political belief.
Patrick’s career was more than a job. It was also a mission. He focused on the Canadian energy sector, first with Suncor Energy in Calgary and most recently with Pattern Energy in Toronto, where his responsibilities included fostering relationships between the energy sector and Canada’s Indigenous peoples. He had a book on the topic with him at the time of his accident.
The happiest days of Patrick’s life came just before his death. On Saturday, September 19, he married Nabiha Paracha in a beautiful outdoor ceremony overlooking Lake Muskoka. Nabiha was the star Patrick’s solar system orbited around; he was filled with joy whenever he was with her, and she inspired him always to be his best. The wedding allowed them to share their utmost happiness with friends and family, many of whom had travelled long distances to celebrate with them.
On the Monday following the wedding, Patrick and Nabiha made an offer on a home in Muskoka, looking forward to welcoming their many friends. It was the realization of a longstanding dream. Two days later, they set out for Ottawa, where Patrick was excited to reunite with his Ashbury classmates for their twenty-year reunion. Tragically, he never arrived.
Patrick leaves an unfillable void in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be especially missed by Nabiha, his parents (Julia and Perrin Beatty) and the extended Beatty and Paracha families.
A celebration of Patrick’s life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 17 in the Great Hall at Ashbury College in Ottawa, following which he will be laid to rest in Beechwood Cemetery beside his brother, Christopher.
For those wishing to commemorate Patrick’s life, the Patrick Caverhill Beatty ’06 Memorial Fund has been established at Ashbury College.
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