I gathered a group of Patrick’s High School friends for a great luncheon at The Rusty Pelican in Newport Beach. He loved to see his friends and this was a special time for all of us to see him. This is a wonderful memory of our last time shared with him.❣️
Patrick you are missed and you will be remembered always.♥️♥️♥️
You are always  in our hearts.♥️
patti

I remember what a kind young man Pat was , even on the football field . The world will miss this gentleman.    Ted   Bandaruk

Mr. Kelleher was my Journalism teacher when I was a student in Santa Ana Unified at John Muir Fundamental.  This was long, long ago.  I was looking him up and found he passed.  He was such a wonderful teacher and I will never forget the encouragement he gave me.
Thank you for everything Mr. Kelleher!
Shelley M. Hernandez

I called Patrick this morning because I had been thinking of him and it had been so long since we had talked. When I reached a recording that the number was no longer in service  my heart sank.
The last time we saw each other was  at a luncheon  with high school friends that he wanted to see and he was so happy we made it happen. He wanted to do it again  when he returned from Mexico.
I had no idea there was another plan.  
We are so  sorry for your loss .
He had a wonderful  life and loved all of you dearly.  Sharing his funny stories will keep him present in your lives.  
My brother Larry and  I loved him and will miss his amazing  “Spirit” and  Loyalty he always shared with us.♥️ Our friendship will never end.
Love,
Larry Kinsella and patti kinsella

Pat's shining light will be missed by me, you, and beyond.  I am deeply saddened by his departure.   I would like to share a passage of a poem he wrote for his long time friend, Bob, my husband, after his passing.  

"Saddened by parting, we naturally grieve; In longing we linger, with long fallen leaves.  In death, as we sleep, we close tired eyes; We take our repose, our strength to revive.  If you ever seek me, search not starry skies; Awake in the morning, and greet the sunrise."

Pam Hosier

I will always remember your smile and the sweet dinner time we had together. Thank you for your constant companionship and encouragement.

I made a little memorial in my studio on the evening of Patrick’s passing. I chanted sincerely 
for him as well as his granddaughter. We’d had talks about our granddaughters who are in similar situations, encouraging each other. I could feel Patrick’s beautiful Buddha nature permeating the universe and our lives.  I knew he was in a very good “place”. The next
morning Claire had a breakthrough which I 
attributed to our relationship with Patrick.

I will miss you my friend. You will be remembered as one of the funniest men I ever met.
Joecrooks11@gmail.com 

I will never forget the times I spent chanting with you in your home at the beginning of my practice.  Those, now, are truly ‘golden memories’.  I am now on my 41st year of practice and I hold gratitude in my heart for you on my mystical journey.
I will see you on Eagle Peak!
Faith Jansen
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

I met Patrick in 1990, at Moreno Valley Unified School District, which is where our friendship began. Over the years I watched him become an amazing leader and advocate for educators and kids. He was Principal at CSHS, when my oldest son Ronnie attended, and I served on his PTA board. Later we worked together at RCOE when he got his dream job in HR. He could wordsmith and cite  education code and bargaining language better than any attorney. Patrick after he retired from RCOE went on to a second career and continued serving and advising educators. Once again, we got to work together at Fontana Unified where he served as our HR Interim Assistant Superintendent. He had a passion for life, cared deeply for his family and friends.  Pat could tell the best stories at a party, conference or on the phone, we all know those stories, as they were the kind that would give you a good belly laugh. His daughters and grandchildren were always part of our conversations and he loved you so very much. He loved traveling, meeting people, and learn about their culture. I will miss you friend, so thankful for the hundreds of memories we have shared over the past 33 years. 永遠の友達  Eien No Tomodachi.

With peaceful chanting,

I truly love his smile and jokes. He really cared about me and shared good life lessons when I feel lost. 
We enjoyed spending beautiful time, having dinners together everyday. I miss those times, and thank him for being my life teacher. 
His messages encouraged me to be confident, and assure my life forces. I will never forget his kindness and affection that he showed me.

Enjoying a yummy lobster meal in Puerto Nuevo and hearing your entertaining stories.  One of the things I will miss the most are your stories! 

At one of your favorite places in Rosarito

I will forever miss you Patricio! You were my mentor and friend and I will remember your kindness and stories always.  Till we meet again…heaven has gained an angel. 😢

Christina

Always a good time at the Mission Inn with Patrick and the girls.

Patrick and I having a great time at Grapow Thai restaurant in Riverside.

Mr. Kelleher hired me as a Social Studies teacher in the 80’s. He was a kind and supportive administrator. Under his leadership, I grew to become an outstanding educator. He knew how to work with families of all cultural backgrounds.  My husband and my two sons are saddened by his loss but so grateful to have known him.  Mr. Kelleher thank you for touching the lives of so many teachers, students,  and administrators. It was an honor to work with you at Alessandro Middle School in Moreno Valley.  

Patrick Kelleher
Patrick was the most caring, kind person to be around and know. His passing was a shock to me. Somehow you think that certain people are suppose to be here forever, like Patrick. I was one of the fortunate ones to have known Patrick for a while. We went back to the NSA Convention days when we would run into
one another briefly. We rekindled our friendship in Palm Springs when I was the WD Palm Springs District Leader and he was our Region Senior Leader. He attended all the Chapter Soka Meetings and gave warm hearted encouragement. Patrick was always on call if someone or group needed him. He enjoyed our Palm Springs District and we loved listening to him talk about Sensei. Sometimes Buddhism can be messy, meaning problems do arise. One time I found myself, alone, retrieving a member’s Gohonzon from a dangerous environment. I of course chanted the entire time while rescuing the Gohonzon. I told Patrick the story. He called a meeting of the District and Chapter leaders. He said, “ never to do that again, alone. If I couldn’t get someone to go with me, to call him, he would go with me.” It was a learning lesson for all of us. Patrick attended my exhibits whenever my Photography was on display at the Galen Gallery in Palm Desert. He took the time to demonstrate his support. In 2019 Patrick and the Youth Division asked me to take the photographs of the Opening of the Riverside Community Center. I was honored. He received one of the highest SGI Awards at that meeting, At the beginning of using Zoom in 2020, he struggled with the technology but finally got the hang of it. I moved from Palm Springs to Florida at the end of 2021. Last year in 2022 Florida experienced one of the worst Hurricanes of all time causing tons of destruction. Patrick was on the phone, calling to see if I was ok. Isn’t that amazing?  WOW, such a caring individual. You will be remembered always Patrick.

Your Friend, 
Nettie Peña 
July 19, 2023

Pat was my principal at Canyon Springs and then when I was MVEA President we helped recruit him for the school board and we had a great working relationship. I loved his stories about going to Europe as a 16 year old on his own after graduating high school early. He ran with the bulls in Pamplona and worked as a lumberjack in Austria being paid in beer!! He was a truly caring man who loved life and worked hard for Public Education. I will miss him greatly. 

Patrick was and for me still is a very inspirational person. This is a great loss. Thank you Patrick for sharing your beautiful stories and inspirational words of wisdom. You touched many souls. 

Mr. Kelliher was a great leader. May he rest in peace.

Our educational community lost an amazing leader on July 7. Pat was a mentor and friend. His sense of humor definitely kept me laughing on several occasions. Pat is completely responsible for my love of sushi. While at conferences, he would always find the best sushi restaurant for dinner. He gave me advice, shared his leadership skills and demonstrated how great leaders bring people together. Pat continued to mentor and share his expertise when I accepted a position in Human Resources. I will miss his stories, our discussions and his friendship. Pat touched the lives of students, parents, and colleagues. I hope his family knows how much he was loved by the educational community.  Rest in Peace my friend. 

Patrick, and  Wayne White and Gary posing for a conference photo. Pointing to see who has the best sense of humor.  These men love God and unity. 

Day of peace at the Buddhist Temple. Leaders attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Patrick was a teacher to many. He attentively listened and provided guidance and insights on how to best handle a Personnel matter. 
He treated others with dignity and respect and had a wonderful sense of humor. He 
lived a full life and was glad to share his stories. I will forever remain grateful to him for being a light in my journey. 
May your soul rest in peace and may your loved ones be comforted by  the wonderful memories you left behind. 
With a  grateful ♥️ 
Esmirna Valencia 

I was deeply saddened by the news of Patrick’s passing. Pat was always someone I could turn to with questions throughout my HR career. He was a mentor and helped me when I needed extra support on projects even though he was already retired. He was intelligent, witty, fair, and compassionate. He is a huge loss to the education community because he served as an advocate for students, parents, teachers, classified educators, and  administrators,  my deepest condolences to Pat’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew Pat. To know Pat was to love Pat.  May He rest in eternal Heavenly  peace. 

                         Pat Kelleher
A caring soul of all mankind is what he was to me
His influence over my life was not for all to see
For I believe God carefully placed him on my journey 
To recruit me as the Superintendent of Moreno Valley 
His work never stopped as he encouraged and supported for years to come
Even when I retired, he stayed close as a friend as steady as a drum
There are those who touch us deep within and cause our souls to stir
And that blessed one , the man of peace was my friend Pat Kelleher
                May His Peace Bring Us Peace 
                 by Dr. Judy  D. White

I am so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. I was the Executive Director for the union, and I always loved working with Pat when he was a principal to problem solve issues. He more than once defended his teachers against untrue and unwanted criticism by the public. Later, when Pat was on the board, it was great to work with him again. I have a lot of respect for Pat and all the contributions he made to this world. Rest in peace, Pat. 

Sincerely, Ann Adler

Pat was such a trooper when he dressed up for Halloween with us girls at AALRR, going to truly miss him and his stories.  RIP Pat 

OBITUARIO

Patrick William Kelleher

18 julio, 1946 – 7 julio, 2023

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