Patrick McCreary, of Indiana, PA, died Thursday, May 12, 2016 in Latrobe area hospital following a battle with esophageal cancer. He was 67 years old and surrounded by love.

Patrick is survived by his wife Mary; daughter Sara and her husband David, and their two sons Tommy and Zac; daughter Katie and her partner Tim; his brother Kevin and sisters Cathy and Marion; plus a large extended family both related and chosen. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Tommy, Carey, and Paul.

Patrick spent the past 33 years as Faculty Technical Director of IUP's Department of Theatre and Dance, having previously served as the Faculty Technical Director for the Dance and Drama Divisions of Bennington College in Bennington, VT (1979-1983) and as the Technical Director/Resident Designer for Livingston College Theater Program at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ (1972-1977). Patrick carried a BA in Theater Arts from Livingston College (1975) and an MFA in Theater Technology and Design from Mason Gross School of The Arts (1979), both part of Rutgers University. Prior to teaching, he was an Operator, First Class (SP4) in the United States Army Engineer Corps.

Patrick will most be remembered by the people he supported not only through his teaching, but through how much he cared. He spoke with interest to anyone he came across, truly reached out to those in need of a listening ear or caring heart, and hugged everyone who needed it. His superpower was encouraging students to find theirs - and to embrace whatever they found! His mentorship and guidance crossed color, gender, and age lines. Alumni speak of having confidence to follow their dreams, stand up for themselves, and pick up a power tool all thanks to his help. Patrick's legacy will live on in the artists, technicians, teachers, and citizens that he inspired in life. His presence in helping raise the special friends and serving as a dad away from home for so many is what will be most missed about this amazing and inspiring man.

Patrick's family will receive visitors at Bowser-Minich Funeral Home in Indiana, PA on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. On Saturday, May 21, 2016, a Memorial Service will be held in Waller Hall on IUP's campus at 12noon, followed immediately by refreshments and a Celebration of Life. Attendees are encouraged to bring their favorite Patrick memory or story to share if they feel so inclined, or just sit back and listen. In lieu of flowers, the family will be setting up a scholarship fund with IUP per Patrick's wishes - please hold donations until that time. To continue Patrick's legacy, everyone is asked to share a hug or do something altruistic in his name (and, as Patrick would say "if you don't know what 'altruistic' means, then look it up!").

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