Patrick Sixto was born in Grande Riviere, Trinidad, the second oldest child of Roy and Claudia Sixto. His stories of childhood reflected his love for his five siblings, his adventurous spirit and his love of nature. Patrick’s work ethic developed at an early age through tending his hidden garden and jockeying to guide tourists through the Pitch Lake. His hard work led him to caddy for golfers and discover his passion for the game. His first career decision was to join the First Battalion Trinidad and Tobago Regiment where he made several life-long friendships. In 1967, he married Lera Alexander, the young woman who captured his attention three years prior. The following year, he immigrated to Canada and was soon followed by his young bride and their new baby, Richard. Unlike many Caribbean immigrants at the time, Patrick chose to go directly to Calgary. This decision launched a life-long career in Oil and Gas working on projects across Alberta, the Maritimes, and eventually Saudi Arabia. Calgary was also where Patrick shared his love of Carnival and T&T Culture. He was a founding member and past Executive Director of Calgary Carifest and President of the Trinidad and Tobago Canadian Association. He was instrumental in bringing the culture, food, and warmth of his birthplace to his home on the prairies. This was one of the many ways he gave back to the country that welcomed him.
Patrick was blessed to have travelled to over 20 countries, making many friends from around the world. His favourite adventures were climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, sailing the Nile, and visiting Sri Lanka. In his retirement years, he continued to travel, golfed twice a week, and found joy in building a magnificent garden, for which he received numerous awards.
As he neared the end of his life, Patrick simply said “Love one another”.
Patrick will be greatly missed by his wife of 54 years, Lera Sixto, his siblings, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many others. He will be buried with his son, Richard Sixto, who pre-deceased him in December, 2020.
A Celebration of Life for Patrick Sixto and Richard Sixto, will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 2:30 pm with Laura-Lee Parris, Celebrant. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Laural Kurta
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Jillian Haneiph on behalf of TTCAC Members past and present. Deepest condolences from the Trinidad and Tobago Canadian Association and our community.
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Trevor Quammie Our condolences to your family and friends. I had known Patrick for many year we grew together in La Brea met up with him a few years ago back home on vacation with his wife . May you continue to sleep in eternal peace blessings and enjoy your spiritual life with the Angels
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Michael Straker Michael Straker
Our family met the Sixto’s back in 2002 in Saudi Arabia, and there blossomed a great friendship. There was never a dull moment with Patrick as he enjoyed filling every room with laughter. Thank you for everything over the years.
Condolences to the Sixto family from Michael, Phyllis, Michelle, Anton and Nicole Straker.
Rest in Peace my friend.
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Michael Straker Our family met the Sixto’s back in 2002 in Saudi Arabia, and there blossomed a great friendship. There was never a dull moment with Patrick as he enjoyed filling every room with laughter. Thank you for everything over the years.
Condolences to the Sixto family from Michael, Phyllis, Michelle, Anton and Nicole Straker.
Rest in Peace my friend.
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Mervyn & Clare Our first President and one of the founding members of the T&TCA of Calgary and also one of the Carifest founding members. Thank you for the vision to keep the Red, White and Black flying high and to help keep the culture alive in Calgary. I’ll never forget our Friday Night family sessions with you on the piano and as we joined in with our iron, bottle and spoon knocking with the ladies cooking up a storm at Odd Fellows Hall. Those were the days and coming here from Montreal in 1983, it was a pleasure rallying with you throughout the years. Coming to your home to pick up my records, our yearly picnics, the barbecue’s and different functions that you headed up were always appreciated. You will be sadly missed by all. Leera and Family, we do hope that some of these memories and more bring endless peace & comfort, knowing Pat did things “His Way”. Heartfelt condolences to the you and the Sixto family. Clare and Mervyn Joseph
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Marilyn Springer RIP Patrick Sixto and Richard Sixto Condolences from Marilyn and Ash Springer , We listened to the beautiful service on Zoom today. Lera and Lorraine our hearts are with both of you at this time.
I am will remember one of Patrick sayings that he shared with me so many, many years ago and I still use today when I wake with my body ache or not in a great mood to “Springer’s Look Your Self in The Mirror Say I Love You and Give Yourself a Big Hug”
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KAREN ROBINSON Mr. Sixto – thank you. For your warmth and kindness over the years, for your good counsel, for fresh figs, for El Dorado rum. I am blessed to have made your acquaintance.❤️
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Jenifer I’ll miss you Patrick, my big brother. You were always loving and kind to me. I’ll miss your warmth and humour. You, will always be alive in my heart. We grieve, but not as those who have no hope. Rest In Peace my dear brother. I love you. Jenny
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Elena Dublin Oh Patrick! My dear friend. Growing up together in LaBrea . Attending Majuba Gospel Hall church every Sunday and Brighton E.C. elementary Monday to Friday
We went our different ways for high school but that bond remained even after we lived what seemed like a world away from each other as adults. My sympathy to Lera, her daughter and Samuel, Madge, Aubrey, Jen, Rosalind & amp; the extended family. Just thinking of Patrick, always brought a smile . May that continue even through the tears. RIP until the Lifegiver resurrects you my friend.
Elena Dublin
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Iva Ashford Sincerest condolences to Mr. Sixtos’ wife, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. May his fond memories be a treasure to all…eternal rest unto his soul…..
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Francis and Gail Brice RIP Pat. Hoping all the great memories will carry your family to a place of healing and love. You fought the fight and now you are at rest. Condolences from Francis and Gail Brice in Calgary.
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Susan Gregory My sincere sympathy and condolences on Patrick’s passing. Although our paths crossed in Saudi, I did not know him very well but his sense of humour, gentle manner and soul I do remember! I believe he and his son are now exchanging laughs and jokes and keeping watch from above.
Thinking of you, and your family, Lera. May all God’s angels comfort and give you peace.
Susan Gregory
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STEPHEN WILLIAMS Comono paisano. Comonono! As we greeted each other each day as trainees at the Lake Asphalt Company at La Brea Trinidad & Tombago way back in the day. Sad to hear of your passing my brother. Gladys and I extend our deepest condolences to you family and friends. Until we meet again in the afterlife. Farewell Bro. Travel safely on the other side.❤✌
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Cheryl Antoine Many condolences to the family of Patrick, and the Sixto siblings. Fun memories of that community spirit of yours Patrick, when you corralled us all to take pictures of us La Breanians who were assembled at one of our cultural events. Always such a warm brother, and true friend, Patrick. God speed. Requiescat in pace.
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Pamela Nelson George I’m still coming to terms of the untimely passing of Patrick! From neibour in La brea to neighbor and friend in Calgary, we go a long way bro! Your sense of humor!! Always had me cracking up! To Wife Leera Loraine and all his siblings, I sincerely extend my heartfelt condolences! Just think as we all know Patrick, he will be challenging Richard in some game of golf and making everyone laugh! So he is very happy in Gods heaven! GO GET THEM BRO! RIP
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LENNOX Mulcare With a heavy heart, I express my deepest condolences to Mrs. Sixto, kids and other family members of Patriçk Sixto at his untimely departure. I will never forget our childhood connections in La Brea, Trinidad. May he have an eternal rest in Peace.
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Jonas McIntosh (3153) RIP my dear Batch bro Sixto. We were called ‘the war babies’ when we joined the Regiment. I look at our pics now, and say, “Omg! How time has flown.” How I long for the day when “time has no wings.” But I’m reminded of our pithy maxim, ‘Soldiers never die, they just fade away.’ We shall meet again my brother; where flesh knows no corruption. My condolences go out..to all family & dear ones. PEACE
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Sandra Bailey Patrick thank you for being my adopted with love brother. I was only in my late teens when we first met. Over the years I came to cherish our talks and always the advice that you gave me (whether I liked it or not smile). Remembering our last conversation ended and I said goodbye and I love you – you gave me one of your Patrick replies which made me smile. So I am remembering you with love and a smile.
My sincerest condolences to Lera, Lorraine and Jayden and the rest of extended family.
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Andy calliste AK Boyo Andy calliste
My condolence to the family of Patrick Sixto from the Calliste & David family. May he rip. He always passes by poboy when he is in Trinidad.
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Wendy Joy Williams Please accept our deepest condolences from the Williams Family to the Sixtos Family. We were your neighbors and follow you whenever we can. We heard so many amazing stories of you. Sleep in eternal peace Patrick.
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Rommel Blackmann 3187 Rest in eternal peace my friend and Batch 3187 Rommel Blackmann.
Your journey has ended. You are now with the Heavenly Angels . And on behalf of the first intake 5th March 1963, we salute you for making us proud and also for entertaining the football team and major General Ed Dillon and Major Chevallier Jackson
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Vonulrick Martin I extend condolences to the Sixto Family. Patrick and I, were members of the 1st. Bn. Trinidad and Tobago Regiment. We joined the Army at the same time, March 5th, 1963. I resigned from the Army before he did and headed to the USA. I appreciated our friendship. I admired his tenacity in achieving all that he did. Great man indeed. May he rest in eternal peace.
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Chika Norah Udezue For your love for my family, especially my children, for your love for my dearest friend and sister, for the years in the desert of Arabia and beyond, for the joy and laughter we shared, I thank you Patrick.
Heaven just received one cool dude! Hope they are ready for all the jokes you will unleash on them!!
Rest on my brother. You will be forever in my heart and in the hearts of all the Udezues. Love you our ‘Uncle Patrick.’
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Pat Hare My deepest condolences to Lera and the Sixto family. May Patrick rest in eternal peace.
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Glennis Alleyne ( Sis. Jenn's Friend ) My Condolence to the family of Patrick, I pray God’s Holy Spirit will bring peace and comfort to your hearts as you mourn the loss of a dear loved one. He is absent from the body but present with the Lord.
He will forever live on in your hearts. God bless you.
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JENNIFER WHITTIER-HASWELL With a heavy heart I extend my deepest condolences to my sister Lera, my niece Lorraine, my great-nephew Jayden, Carlyle, all the Sixto siblings and their offspring, my daughters Asiyah and Amina and their offspring and all the friends and family who loved Patrick dearly. He was a good brother-in-law to me and we will all miss him. I thank God for the opportunity and priviledge of having him in our lives. We know that he is in a better place and in his words to me he said “I am at peace and I made peace with everyone” May he rest in perfect peace. I will continue to support my sister and niece emotionally. God’s blessing to all. Remember that the Lord is your Strength.
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Debra Carby Forever Grateful Dad for the many Blessings in all our lives that came from you.
From: your grandsons Jonathan & Nichail: Great Grandchildren: Jasmine & Cameron: Daughter Debra name( Luv) by you. Also folks that met you in the UK. Forever in all our hearts We sincerely extend our condolences to your amazing family. Wife Lera, Daughter Lorraine, Grandson Jayden and all others.
Richard was a dear friend of mine. He forced me to talk with him after we bumped into each other on the bus a couple of times during high school (different schools but we both sometimes just liked to hop on the city-wide bus just to see what we could see).I was quite shy at the time…Richard certainly was not. We later found each other at Mount Royal and he made a point of finding me wherever I would hide…making me dance throughout the food court, my Star Wars marathon blanket buddy at movie night in the campus pub… He had frequent sleep overs at my various apartments on Saturday nights (no matter what either of us were doing that evening…I could bank on him knocking on ir tossing stones on my window at 3am) so we could brunch Sunday morning. About a year before Covid, I realised I had not seen his FB posts in awhile and went to his page. He had unfriended me. I was livid and quickly called him to give him a piece of my mind. After calming me down…and laughing at me simultaneously, he said, “My page is limited to ‘x’ number if people so I had to drop some”?, I gasped. He chuckled, “I don’t need to see what you post on FB. You, you I pick up the phone for.” He had a way of calming a hysterical me.
I had been visiting him in Vancouver almost every summer but missed that year due to Covid. Watching his online service, I was quite disconnected and three years later I have still not processed his absence. I suspect part if that is that he pops up all the time in my life.
I met Patrick at Carifest. I called him Papa Sixto. He seemed to get a kick out of that and giggled like a school girl every time thereafter. My interactions with him were far too infrequent but he gave hugs with his whole heart and soul. He was sunshine!
There was a story that I tried to tell during Richard’s service but could not get through. Honestly, there was much I could not relate to as all these people did not know the Richard I did and it confused me. Of course, everyone knew the larger than life guy…but it seemed not as many new that boy riding on the bus watching the rest of the world pass or my frequent brunch companion. I was going to reach out to Patrick after, but my avoidance of reality prevented it. I was so sad I never got to tell him this story. As I cannot find out how to contact Rich’s mom and sister, I hope they will read this here. Richard has been bombarding me lately (old letters and sketches found in my parents basement-they are moving-, a photo being auctioned on a friend of a friend of a friend’s fundraiser that crossed my FB feed, a post on his memorial page that jumps on mine that is otherwise filled with ads these days talking about how their FB feed is filled with ads).
After all that, my short story…
Richard and I would sometimes disconnect for months then see each other daily for months. Between jags, I would always be amazed how his hair would change. Beards, moustaches, sideburns, afros, shaved head, dreads, cornrows, flat tops, clean shave, soul patches, goatees…all over the place. I would always marvel at his chameleon ability (yet he always looked like himself) and the speed at which he could grow hair, while mine maybe lengthened a 1/4 inch over years. He would often lament getting older, not because he he feared losing his hair like his dad, but because he was worried about growing the very hairy chest his father sported. He would laugh and laugh that his skinny body could not support the weight of his dads chest hair. It did not happen, and in a way, I think he was a little disappointed.
I am so sorry I did not get to tell Patrick this, but I hope someone can pass this, and my love, along to his mom and sister. I hope they get a small chuckle from it.