Ronald Patrick McGregor “Pat” of Brookfield, Wisconsin passed away peacefully at home on June 20, 2023 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. His wife of 55 years, Terrianne McGregor, was by his side until the end.
Pat was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1946 to John William and LaFaye McGregor. He attended Bishop England High School where he played tennis and football. He received an undergraduate in business administration from the Citadel Military College of SC where he met the love of his life, Terrianne DuBose, a nursing student at the Medical College of SC (MUSC). They married in 1968 and spent the first years of their life together in Charleston. The couple continued their adventures living in Kentucky where they began to raise their four children who may have caused a few of his premature gray hairs.
Longing for the big city life, they moved to Connecticut so Pat could work in New York City. His office overlooked the NY Public Library and if you look closely in Ghostbusters, you can see Pat sitting on the steps in one of the slimer scenes. In 1985, the couple decided that they wanted to learn how to say the phrase “you betcha” with accuracy, so he took a job with Briggs and Stratton in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he retired after 15 years.
He had 45 plus years in international purchasing and loved every minute of it. He was known as “Roadtrip McGregor” and traveled the world so often that we lost track of the number of fully stamped passports. He had a stomach of steel and took pride in introducing his family and friends to the unique food and drinks he would bring back from his travels. He also enjoyed minor fame from Hong Kong to Shanghai due to his time performing on the restaurant karaoke circuit.
Pat was known as Dad, Pappy, Uncle Pat, Pattycakes, Mr. Toe and Fish. His high-pitched laugh was contagious, and he loved sitting around the table telling stories to anyone who would listen. April Fool’s Day was one of his favorite holidays and he was famous for pulling pranks, especially on the unsuspecting person who fell asleep first at family get-togethers.
He grew up on the water in Charleston and taught his kids and grandchildren how to fish, shrimp, catch a crab with a chicken neck and put crabs to sleep–sometimes wearing the claws as jewelry. He loved beach music, shagging and was known for his signature dance move-the dying roach-that was requested at all family weddings. He took his kids camping and instilled in them a love for the outdoors. He was famous for his lasagna, red rice, pecan pie, and rum banana bread.
He welcomed everyone into his home with open arms and a big heart making all feel like family. He would walk into a room full of strangers and walk out with a room full of friends.
He was a devout Catholic and an active member of St. Dominic’s Parish until his disease prevented him from attending in person, but he was a faithful servant of the Lord until the end. He was proud of his Scottish heritage, and he left this world to the bagpipes of Scotland the Brave.
Even though his health declined in the last few years, his strong spirit, laughter, appreciation for a good comedy, and love of God and family never wavered.
He is survived by his wife, Terrianne, and 4 children: Christie (Philip McBrayer), Jennifer, John (Elizabeth) and Merrill (Benton Wislinski) plus his seven grandchildren: Jamie, Kelly, Kristina, Page, Merrill, Jaclyn and James; his sister, Annette Merrill (Forrest Cooper) and brother Michael (Jan Fisher) and Kathye McGregor, numerous nephews and nieces that he loved like his own children, and his loyal pup Precious. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Jack, his brother-in-law Jim Merrill, and nephews Ryan and Joey.
A small family mass will be held in his honor at St. Dominic’s Church. A celebration of life for extended family and friends will be held in Charleston in the coming month. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association and toast him with a bloody mary.