Patrick "Pat" Dailey

Patrick Pat M. Dailey, age 82, of Great Falls, exchanged his gunnery Air Force wings for angel wings on Monday, November 16, 2015 from complications following surgery at Benefis Health Care surrounded by his loving family.The funeral liturgy will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Pat was born in Great Falls, Montana on April 28, 1933 to Charlie and Emma (Gratton) Dailey. He was their third child of nine. Pat attended St. Marys Catholic School and graduated from Great Falls Central in 1952. Pat began his service to his country in 1952 as an Air Force Aerial Gunner serving in the Korean War. Upon discharge he returned to Great Falls and began his career as a construction worker for Wieck Construction, Volk Construction, and finally retired from the City of Great Falls Housing Authority in 1998.Pat was a well-known volunteer coach for 20 plus years at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. He would never keep win/loss records because he believed the game was about the kids and not about him. He was a very humble man. His teams won the parochial league girls and boys basketball championship eight times in the first ten years. He also shared his talents coaching football and wrestling at Lourdes. His coaching philosophy was simple God first, family, school, and finally your sport.His coaching continued outside of the school when he coached Little League Baseball.He continued his coaching adventures with the Higgins TV womens softball team, which won many league, district, and state titles. Along with coaching, he had great respect for the outdoors and wildlife, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy.Pat married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Beverlee Snippen, on April 16, 1955. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April. Pat and Bev lived their entire life in Great Falls with the exception of his military assignments. Together they raised their three children, Susan Jean, Gregory Joseph, and Sandra Kay.Pat is survived by Beverlee, his wife of sixty years; son Greg; two daughters, Sue (Jim) Sargent and Sandra (Clark) Jandt; grandchildren Kelli Dailey, Katie (Josh Manning) Dailey, Ryan (Katie Dulmage) Dailey, Justine (Andrew) Rockey, Sara (Brandon Reich) Hansen, Amy (Allan) Noyes, and Samantha (Jeff) Wanken; great-grandchildren Jackson and Kendall Rockey, Brayker Dailey, and Roman Dulmage; brother Chuck (Rosemary) Dailey; sisters Margie (Jim) Hillyard, Lenny White, Janet (Art) White, Deborah (Terry) Dailey-Mcllrath; brother-in-law Elliot Teague; many nieces and nephews that he adored; and a very large extended family.Pat was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Catherine; parents Charlie and Emma Dailey; step-father Robert Snyder; brother Tommy Dailey; sisters Joyce Matuska and Bonnie Teague.In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Pats name to Great Falls Central Catholic School, 2800 18th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59401 or donors choice.