Halifax/Whitney Pier
December 3, 1970 – February 3, 2026
It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we, the family of Patrick Michael Petruskavich, announce his passing on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in Halifax.
Patrick was born on December 3, 1970, in Sydney, and was the son of the late Michael and Mary (Rykunyk) Petruskavich. Patrick is survived by his children, Benjamin and Clare, and Cara Pedersen, his former spouse and mother of his children. He is also survived by his brother, Leo Petruskavich.
Patrick grew up in Whitney Pier. He graduated from Sydney Academy and then went to trade school where he became a carpenter. He started his career at Dalhousie University and most recently at Mount Saint Vincent University, where he made many friends.
Patrick’s life was devoted to his children. He was truly an amazing father. Every summer they enjoyed camping together at Keji, bike riding, and just going for drives around the city and country. In the winter he made many trips to Martock with the kids for snowboarding, and skiing. Patrick took Clare to every basketball practice and was there to cheer her on at every game. He made lots of memories with the kids that they will certainly cherish.
Visitation for the late Patrick Petruskavich will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at St. Mary’s Polish Church, 21 Wesley Street, Whitney Pier with Fr. Evo DiPierro officiating. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
For those unable to attend, Live Streaming will be available on our website. Click Here: https://fb.watch/wUXX30d8P9/
Donations in memory of Patrick may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Dear Family of the wonderful Patrick,
With a heavy heart that I ask you to please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of Patrick. Patrick has been particular generous and kind to me on several occasions and I am grateful and sad to realize that Patrick is no longer with us.
From: Cherif Matta
I had the privilege of knowing Patrick for many years. He was not only a coworker, but a true friend and an incredible dad to his two beautiful gems. What you saw was what you got with Patrick. He was a simple, genuine guy and a talented carpenter who could take anything you asked for and turn it into a true wow. I will deeply miss your smile and nonchalant demeanor. You always took the time to say hello or sit down for a chat and a few giggles. Work will not be the same without your presence. You will be missed more than words can say “Dear”. You left us way too soon and our hearts are heavier because of it.
From: Cheryl DeLorey
So sorry to hear about Patrick. We worked together at Dal. He was a great friend and a hard worker. He will be missed.
From: Barry Holley
I had the privilege to work with Pat at Dalhousie. Great carpenter and co-worker. My sincerest condolences to family and friends.
From: David Lavers
Our hearts are broken ,will definitely miss his visits condolences to Leo Ben and Clare and all of Pats family and friends .
So sorry for your loss. I remember Pat when he was growing up on Frederick St. May he rest in peace. My thoughts are with his family.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest thoughts and condolences go out to the whole family. I had the pleasure of working with Pat at Mount Saint Vincent University. We had lots of laughs with him at work. I will always remember him.
So sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. We remember Pat as a very loving, kind and hard working young man whose family meant the world to him.Gone far too soon.
Bill and Chris Moules from Ontario
Sending my deepest condolences to Patrick’s children,and his brother Leo.
We were so very saddened to hear about Patrick’s passing and our hearts go out to Ben and Clare and all the family!! My husband worked with Patrick and we had the great privilege of having him & the kids at our cottage every summer for the past several years!! Always lots of fun!!! He was an outstanding person & father and will truly be missed!
With deepest sympathy
Leo and family
We are so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing, Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time… To Pat’s children…..know that your Dad loved you unconditionally and with every breath he took. God bless… May he rest in peace ❤️
Leo, thoughts and prayers on the loss of your brother Pat, God bless
Wanda Covey and Allan
Sorry for loss to all family especially Ben and Clare and Leo and Michael pat as so proud of you all may he rest in peace
I had the pleasure of working alongside and getting to know Patrick for a few years during my time at MSVU. Often we would end up at camping trips together at Keji where he would take his kids. You’d often find them down at the beach enjoying the lake. He was a great man and I’m sad to hear he has been taken from his family far too soon. Condolences to all.
Ben and Clare, this is not something you should have to carry so young, how we wish things were different. You don’t have to be strong or know what to say, just know you are loved and we are here for you always.
Cara, you are in our thoughts and hearts as you grieve the loss of Pat. We know you are holding the kids close and worrying about their hearts. Please know that we are here for you too, love you.
Love Paul and Melanie Pedersen
So sorry to read of Pat’s passing. I am Joseph’s cousin and Joseph had posted a photo of the family and Pat was in it and I couldn’t remember his name
Joseph wrote back and said Pat. I hadn’t seen in over 50 years but I remember the three of them at my Aunt’s house and their grandmothers. Sweet little boy.
When I saw the obituary I went back to the post to re read it. I didn’t realize that when Joseph said he died that it was just the day before the post!
He’ll always be a little boy to me ❤️
So sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. My deepest sympathies to his children and family. Pat was always a character man with strong moral fiber, devoted family man with a kind heart. My thoughts are with you in this time of great grief.
Bill J
Dal
My sincere condolences to Patrick’s family. God Bless
My heartfelt condolences to Leo,Ben and Clare . Know that you have friends and family here for you and that you, Ben and Clare are constantly in our thoughts.
Gone too soon, but never forgotten. Rest in peace, cousin Pat.
Cousin Leo, Ben, and Claire, we were so sorry to hear about Pat’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
The hardest goodbyes are the ones we don’t get to say.
John Petruskavich & Trish Godin
Leo and Pat’s family. So sorry to hear about Pat. Our heartfelt condolences to all. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs from Sandy and cousin Donna(Oursen) Davis.
So sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. Pat and I were partners at Dal for many years. He was a hard worker and a great carpenter. Glad he was often able to make it to our annual golf day. Sincere condolences to Ben, Clare and family.
Brian, Tina and Kaitlynn
Cara, Ben, Clare and Family
My deepest condolences to you all at such a difficult time. Pat was such a great guy who adored Ben and Clare. He loved those kids to the moon and Back. I am thinking of you all and sending much love, peace and light. Cara you are a wonderful mom to those beautiful children . You will all cherish the memories you have made over the years. While you were together and apart. The love, the devotion and the determination you both shared was the best love for Clare and Ben and it shined bright. As the road may have some up and downs the next little bit. You have friends and family near and far to lean on. Love to you all. ❤️
So sorry to hear of Pat’s passing.
My deepest condolences to the family.
You are in my thoughts and prayers
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ben ,Clare and the rest of Patrick’s family . We had the pleasure of spending time camping with Patrick ,Ben and Clare at Mark and Dawn Titchmarsh’s cottage during the summer for many years. Patrick was a great guy and a fantastic father you could certainly see the love he had for his children. Patrick certainly will be missed .
My condolences to the family. I work at Mount Saint Vincent University and feel lucky that I crossed paths with Patrick. He was a kind, funny and patient man especially when he taught a colleague and I how to build planters on Earth Day and use power tools for the first time. He clearly was much loved and spoke highly of his kids on that day. Always a smile and comment when we came across each other on campus. I am so sorry he passed far too soon.
I have had the absolute privilege of knowing Patrick for several years. He was not only a coworker, but a friend, always taking the time to sit and chat. His calm demeanor and warm smile made a lasting impression. He was an amazing father and the love he had for his children shone through in everything he said. Patrick was a talented carpenter, anything he touched was a “wow”
You will be missed more than words can say, “dear”. You left us way too soon and our hearts are heavier because of it. MSVU will not be the same without you. 🤍
Dear Family of the wonderful Patrick,
With a heavy heart that I ask you to please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of Patrick. Patrick has been particular generous and kind to me on several occasions and I am grateful and sad to realize that Patrick is no longer with us.
Cherif Matta
(Department of Chemistry and Physics, MSVU, Halifax)