Obituary of J.Patrick Powers

J. Patrick Powers, 81, P.E.,F.ASCE Roebling Award Recipient, Author, Father J. Patrick Pat Powers, of Marco Island, Florida, born December 31st, 1926 in Teaneck, NJ to the late John and Mary Reed Powers, died peacefully on May 15th, 2008 at Compassionate Care Hospice at Saint Clares Hospital in Dover, New Jersey. Pat attended St. Regis High School and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytech Institute in 1947. He also served in the US Navy. His engineering career spanned 50 years where he was Chief Engineer for Moretrench, Rockaway, NJ and a consultant for Mueser Rutledge Consulting of New York City. This past January he was the recipient of the American Society of Civil Engineerings prestigious Roebling Award and most recently completed the third edition of his book Construction Dewatering. Pat continued to provide consulting advice until his death and was currently working with Moretrench in the writing of that companys history. Said co-author and friend Walter Kaeck, Pat leaves behind all the engineers he taught to carry on Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers groundwater work with the same attention to detail, practical insight, and professionalism that he demonstrated on each and every project. Pat married Marilyn (nee) Conlon on May 10, 1983 who predeceased him in 2007. They resided in Montclair and Hackettstown before retiring in 1991 to Marco Island, Florida where they enjoyed beautiful sunsets and shared many joyous occasions with their children, grandchildren, and friends. Pat was a member of The San Marco Roman Catholic Church, Mens Club and Marco Island Yacht Club. He enjoyed travel, bridge games, and mostly, his family and his many special friends. Pat is survived by two daughters, Marybeth Powers of Boonton, NJ, Celia Sellars and her husband Gary of Brown Deer Wisconsin; His six step-sons and daughters-in-law; Raymond Conlon of Laguna Beach, CA; Robert Conlon and his wife Patti, of Rockaway, NJ; Frederick Conlon and his wife Lourdes, of West Orange, NJ; Michael Conlon and his wife Susan, of West Orange, NJ; Matthew Conlon and his wife Susan, of Caldwell, NJ; Mark Conlon and his wife Sharon, of Simpsonville, SC and three step-daughters and sons-in-law; Susan Garrabrant and her husband Bill of Denville, NJ; Patricia Shroyer and her husband Britt, of Bentleyville, OH; Marilyn London and her husband Ken of Bridgeport, CT. 26 grandchildren and his loving sister Rosemary and her husband Bob also survive him. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many wonderful friends further survive him. His brothers John and Kevin and sister Peggy Gidez predeceased Mr. Powers. His funeral will be conducted from Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ www.normandean.com, (please light a candle in memory of Pat on web site), on Tuesday May 20th at 10:00am for a 11:00am Liturgy of Christian Burial service at St. Marys Church Denville, NJ. Relatives and friends will be received Monday May 19th from 2-4 and 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Pats memory to Community Hope, 199 Pomeroy Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054 would be appreciated. .