Andrew Williams Patten, Jr.


Andrew Williams Patten, Jr., 77, of Chatham Township, NJ, passed away on January 13, 2021. Funeral services are private however, a celebration of his life will be held when the weather is warmer and we can all gather outside safely.

Born in Paterson, NJ, the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Blauvelt) Patten, Andy was raised in Convent Station and graduated from Madison High School in 1962.  He moved to Chatham in 1981.  Andy earned the Distinguished Military Graduate award with a degree in political science from Pennsylvania Military College.  He was a Captain in the U.S. Army during Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service as the Company Commander of the 97th Transportation Company, Heavy Boat. Andy had a successful career in the insurance industry including Travelers Insurance, AIG and as President of Benemarc Insurance.  He later established a bird and nature retail store, Wild Birds Unlimited in Randolph, NJ.  Andy was a Past Master of Madison Lodge #93 F&AM and Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey.  He was also a past member of the Burlington Lodge #32 F&AM, a member of Founders and Patriots of America,  the Association of Blauvelt Descendants, Sons of the American Revolution, past president of the Willingboro Chapter of the NJ Jaycees, Theta Xi Fraternity during his years at Pennsylvania Military College. Andy was a member of the Executive Board of the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association for many years, coached youth soccer and was inducted into the New Jersey Youth Soccer Hall of Fame.  Andy also had a private aviator’s license. A common thread of Andy’s life was sharing experiences with friends and family.  Whether it was practicing soccer with sons, attending grandchildren’s sporting events, sharing travel adventures starting with living in Frankfurt, Germany for a year with his wife Linda or skiing, the important part to him was sharing the time and experiences with his loved ones.

Andy was the beloved husband of 53 years to Linda.  He was the loving father of Drew and his wife Ann and Jeff and his wife Kelly.  He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Robert and Katharine and his dear sister Jane Patten-Bonner.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Andrew’s memory may be made to the Chatham Emergency Squad, 45 Spring Street, Chatham, NJ  07928.