Gregarious, outgoing,
happy, caring, kind
Patrick Lee grew up in the Crownsville area of Maryland with his parents, John and Audrey, and an older brother, John Jr.
He began elementary school in Crofton, but finished his education in Crownsville. He was always a happy child and easy to get along with adults. At a young age he got involved in scouting, advancing all the way to become an Eagle Scout and the age of 17.
Patrick’s father was a police officer in Annapolis, giving Patrick some “inside” knowledge that the officers would enjoy an area for picnic lunches in the park property that sat behind the station. So Patrick picked that as his Eagle Scout project – building a barbecue pit and picnic tables in an area carved out for relaxation for the police. After Patrick’s death, the police dedicated a plaque in his name at the site.
He also enjoyed snowboarding and traveling with family members, including a trip to Paris and London. Patrick worked for about five years as a dock assistant at City Dock in Annapolis, where he helped boaters tie-up their boats, earning generous tips from many of his customers.
When he graduated from Old Mill High School in 2012, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do as a career so he enrolled at Anne Arundel Community College to give himself some time to figure it out. His father said that Patrick often talked about becoming a firefighter. He seemed to have a call to public service, as did his father and older brother.
He would do anything to help others, but he seemed to struggle finding his own path. He was able to hide his addiction from his parents until one night when he overdosed but was revived with Narcan. He confided in his father and he agreed to go to a 30-day rehab, hoping that would turn things around.
There were two more rehab stays over the course of three years. He died two days after leaving the last 60-day program.
Patrick received counseling at the Pascal Youth and Family Services in Crownsville while he was living with his addiction. The center established a 5-K run in Patrick’s name after his death with the hopes of bringing awareness to drug addiction and to raise money to help those who are going through it.
Patrick’s mother, Audrey, collects clothes and toiletries each year for those staying at the crisis center and his father and mother support the annual 5-K in their son’s name, which is now in its fifth year.
Patrick’s mother and father, Audrey and John, provided information for this profile.
Feb. 6, 1995 – July 20, 2015
Age 20
Lived with addiction three years
