Tom Patrick, Excelsior!

The Brampton Excelsior Lacrosse Club are saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Patrick (Sept 2, 1954 to Dec 12, 2020).

Tom played for the Brampton Excelsiors of the Major Series from 1976-1981. In his rookie season (1976), he won the Bucko McDonald Trophy as League Top Scorer and was awarded the Gene Dopp Award for Outstanding Rookie of the Major Series. In 130 regular season Major games, he scored 205 goals and had 187 assists for 392 points and an additional 73 goals and 72 assists in 82 playoff games. Patrick played in five Mann Cup Championships, winning one Mann Cup title with the Brampton Excelsior in 1980 as our Captain. In 2002 Tom was made a Life Member of the BELC, in 2006 he was inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and in 2015 Tom was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

Our maroon and gold hearts go out to his family at this very difficult time.

For Obituary and Condolences to Tom, please visit imfunerals.com

From Dean McLeod:

The announcement of the passing of Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame member and Brampton Excelsior great, Mr. Tom Patrick, has brought back several great memories for me.

After an outstanding Junior A career with the St. Catharine Athletics I brought Tommy to Brampton in 1976 which resulted in Tom becoming our Senior A Captain. Tom’s greatest moment was in 1980 when he hoisted the Mann Cup in Memorial Arena.

Tom was a stud of a lacrosse player, the kind of which does not exist today, demonstrating excellence both offensively and defensively. He won a Junior A scoring crown in Junior A while at the same time being a vicious defensive player. Years after his playing career ended I was talking to an old friend in BC, at a Mann Cup, and we agreed that the Gait twins played the game similarly to Tom Patrick. What a compliment for each of these three stars.

If the original NLL hadn’t folded after the 1975 season Tommy was slated to be the number 1 draft pick in 1976 for Long Island.

It was my pleasure to be at Tom’s CLHOF induction several years ago and to witness his thrill and honour during that moment.

Tommy was as dedicated to his City of Brampton job as he was as a leader in an Excelsior uniform.

Rest In Peace my friend, you were a great Excelsior.

Dean McLeod