CROSKERY, Patrick, "Pat", age 58 of Toledo, OH, passed away peacefully on March 26 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.  He was born in Washington, D.C., on March 28, 1960 and received a B.A. from the University of Virginia.   In 1992 he received a Ph.D. in Philosophy with honors from The University of Chicago through a Mellon Foundation Fellowship, then worked as a professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University until 1999.

For the past twenty years, Pat was a beloved and respected member of the Ohio Northern University (ONU) community.  He pioneered ONU's Honors Program and worked both as ONU's Honors Program Director and as a professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy, where he specialized in Ethics and Social and Political Philosophy.  Pat served broadly and extensively within ONU and for professional organizations such as the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics and its Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl.

Pat devoted his life to tackling intricate philosophical issues; he enjoyed doing so both in conversations amongst colleagues and through pure unaccompanied thought.  At the same time, he taught philosophy in a way that inspired students to apply learning to their lives in sincerely meaningful ways.  One student once very excitedly told him, "Thank you so much for that philosophy class, Professor Croskery!  Now that I understand that my parents are deontologists while I, in contrast, am a virtue theorist, I finally understand why we always got into so many arguments!  It is so much easier to talk to them now!"

Through working and teaching, Pat deeply impacted the lives of countless people.  Both a mentor and a peer to students and colleagues alike, Pat gave trusted counsel to so many.  He guided others to introspectively reflect on their true strengths and dreams and bring them to light; to see things that they didn't see in themselves which helped them find paths to true happiness in life.  Pat was proactively helpful to those around him whatever their need, from wrestling with unwieldy objects on a friend's moving day to engaging with children whom colleagues brought to work (to the delight of children and colleagues alike).

Incessantly energetic, creative, and fun to be around, Pat fostered countless communities and indelible bonds between people.  He was a gifted mediator; he possessed that evermore precious ability to make those who held different viewpoints realize exquisitely that, in fact, there was substantial agreement between them.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents Jane and Gerald Croskery.  He is survived by his sister, Leslie Edwards; brother, Bruce Croskery; friend and former wife Margaret Case; wife, Maria Raiti, and their three children, Skyelar, Vance and Tierra.  Pat was a dedicated partner and father, and he cherished spending time with his family.  He showered his children with care, love, advice and imagination so completely and effusively that his spirit will remain within them like a compass in their hearts.

ONU will be hosting a memorial service for Dr. Patrick Croskery on Tuesday, April 30th, at 11 a.m. on campus in the sanctuary of the Walter and Marian English Chapel in Ada, Ohio.  Pat's family will be available in the Chapel for visitation one hour before the service, and immediately following the service as well.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Diabetes Youth Services (Toledo) or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.