Growing up on a small family farm in this very rural community, he learned quickly about responsibility and hard work, but also sharing and supporting each other through the good and rough times. Following high school, Pat continued his post-secondary education at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, now part of Dalhousie University, where he graduated in Plant Science.

Pat worked several years with the NB Department of Agriculture before starting his own farm of greenhouse vegetable production, along with his wife Lise. 

Following the footsteps of his dad, Pat got involved early in life with community, provincial and federal organizations, by sitting on boards locally such as president of the Rogersville Chamber of Commerce, local sports association, and regionally such as chair of the Miramichi Health Authority, and President of CBDC Atlantic, also President of the NB Agricultural Alliance representing over 1,000 farmers, and many others. Pat was able to do all of that, while building and running his greenhouse business which now included “Mr. Tomato Market” serving the region well for over 40 years, and contributing to the economy, and which also became a tourism destination.

Pat has also chaired the Standing Committee on Agriculture and was a member of the Fisheries and Ocean Committee. 

Pat and Lise have two children Vicky and Derek, and three grandchildren.