Sergie Gatpatan

With unimaginable grief and sadness we bid farewell to Sergie ("Sonny";"Boy") Gatpatan on March 13th 2021. A devoted Dad, husband, brother Uncle, cousin, friend and neighbor he will be truly missed. Sonny was an incredible "fixer upper", a teacher, mentor, fisherman, talker and competitor.

Sonny was born March 2nd 1961 in Tacoma WA., to Sergio and Julieta Gatpatan where he spent the majority of his years. He graduated from Lakes High School, earned an associates Degree from Clover Park Technical College, taught at Bates and Green River Community College. He was a superb welder and was considered one of the best in the Industry, as well as mentor to many. His career started in the Middle East but  eventually transitioned to him settling in the Pacific Northwest, close to his family. His hands have touched many of the roads, bridges and ferry terminals that you travel on today. Sonny belonged to Pile Drivers and Divers Local Union #196 and was very proud of that. He was devoted to his crew and expected them to work hard always. He would always stride for perfection!!

Above all else Sonny loved his kids, they were his pride and joy. He loved to watch them and their pals play ball (he never disputed what the refs said!!). When Sonny wasn't working he always found something to tip about at, even if it was only at his pace. Hardly ever idle (except during football season). We had many memorable fun camping and road trips. He was an avid fisherman--daytime or night time and no matter how many fish "got away" he kept going back! That skill/hobby he learned from his Dad. He loved to gather people together for food and chatter, never such a thing as too much food, another family tradition. 

Sonny is preceded in death by his parents Sergio and Julieta. He is survived by his wife Breda, his daughter Ciara, son Jack, brother Joe(Cathy), sister Sabrina (Jack), Trudy (Bob), many nieces, nephews, cousins, Aunts and Uncles mainly in the USA, Ireland and Philippines. Sonny has truly left an emptiness in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers please send donations in his honor to "Doctors Without Borders" or "Ronald McDonald House".

A special Huge Thank You to all the staff at St Joseph Medical Center, Tacoma and Harborview Medical Center, Seattle for their compassionate, heartfelt, caring and clinical expertise. To those that gave us time off work, school, college to cope we thank you. We are beyond grateful for all the amazing support, thoughtfulness, endless prayers, food etc etc from families, friends , neighbors. You have all gone above and beyond. 

Funeral Mass will be held on March 26th  11am at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. (200 person limit). Live streaming will be available for those who cannot attend in person.

Sonny you fought a tough fight. I hope you will have a sense of how much we are going to miss you. Watch out Heaven, he will be checking everything out!! Love you

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