Stephen Earl Patterson, passed away after a long illness at his home with his family at his side on Sunday morning, December 30, 2012. He was 66 years old.

Steve was born in Cambridge, the son of the late Earl and Mary Patterson. He was a lifelong resident of Burlington. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He held the rank of Specialist 4th Class and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 2 Overseas Service Bars. He retired from the Lowell School Department where he worked as a custodian at the Lowell High School for 15 years. He was an outdoorsman. He loved fresh and salt water fishing. He taught his daughters how to fish and enjoyed many outing together at Horn Pond or aboard the Yankee Fleet out of Gloucester. He loved camping with his family. He always looked forward to attending the Topsfield and Fryeburg Fairs. He enjoyed working in his garden. He had a great fascination with cars, especially antiques. He enjoyed a good game of cards as well.

Steve was the beloved husband of Mary Elizabeth (Dwyer). He was the loving father of Jennifer Patterson of Burlington and Julieanne Patterson of Medford & her fiance Ronald Keech. He was the brother of Earl & his wife Sandra of Billerica and the late Lawrence. He was the grandfather of Nathan Patterson. Steve was also survived by a niece and nephews.

Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 95/128, Woburn side) on Thursday, January 3 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret's Church, 111 Winn Street, Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Memorial donations in Stephen's name may be made to the Professional Center for Child Development, 32 Osgood St., Andover, MA 01810.