Patrick J. Recla, 85, of Niagara, passed away Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at the Oscar G. Johnson Veteran’s Hospital, Iron Mountain, Mich.

He was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1930, in Norway, Mich., son of the late Roy and Emily (Canavera) Recla.

Pat graduated from Niagara High School and as a young man worked for the Kimberly Clark Paper Mill. He served his country in the United States Army from 1951-1953. Upon discharge he returned to Niagara and worked at the paper mill until he retired in 1992, after 45 years. Pat read the water meters in Niagara for 25 years.

He married the love of his life, Kathleen Gordon on April 16, 1955, in Niagara and they resided there until 1993, when they moved “Out to the Lake”. They would have celebrated 60 years of marriage in just 2 short months.

Pat loved his garden, woodworking, hunting, fishing, his motorcycle, playing cards, but most of all loved his family and getting together with food and drinks. He was an exceptional man who instilled a strong work ethic, values and common sense in his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by loving wife, Kathleen; two sons, Patrick (LouAnn) Recla, Marinette, Wis. and Daniel “Rouch” (Sandy “Tweet”) Recla, Niagara; five daughters, Debbie (Randy) Wodenka, Lori (Daniel) Aderman, Julie (Bob) Butler, Betsy Shampo (Bruce), all of Niagara and Amy (John) Zipp, Fond du Lac, Wis; one brother, Eugene Recla; one step-brother, William Ruelle; sixteen grandchildren, Emily (Brent) Allred, Alisyn (Brian) Baciak, Tony (Julie) Wodenka, Michael and Ashley (Sam) Aderman, Katie (Bryan) Thomson, Rachel (Mike) Reese, Liz (Ryan) Butler, Austin Recla, Joshua (Stephanie) and Joel Recla, Ian and Corrina Shampo, Madi, Miranda, and Maike Zipp. Pat was blessed to have eight great-grandchildren, Porter, McKenna, Eliza, Liam, Carly, Gage, Nora, Paige and many nieces and nephews.

Pat was welcomed to Heaven by his sister, Bernadine Sundquist; his parents; his father and mother-in-law, Rose and Irish Gordon; his brothers-in-law, Tuffy and Jerry Gordon; step-father, Ed Ruelle and grand-babies, Matthew and Danielle.

He was blessed with a wonderful life, a family that loved him and each other and many, many close friends. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all. The family would love to extend a grateful thank you to the staff of the Community Living Center at the Veteran’s Hospital for taking such exemplary and compassionate care of Pat and making his last days comfortable.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 4, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Niagara. The Niagara American Legion Cretton-Tutas Post No. 136 will accord Military Honors, 11:45 a.m. at the church. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. at the church. Rev. Fr. Matt Settle will officiate. Burial will be in Niagara Cemetery in the spring.

Pallbearers will be Randy Wodenka, Danny Aderman, Bobby Butler, John Zipp, Danny Recla and Pat Recla, Jr.

A memorial will be established in Patrick's memory.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Niagara Chapel to honor Pat’s Legacy of Life.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Pat or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com