Woods Officials Remember Former Public Safety Director Patterson

Grosse Pointe Woods Mayor Robert E. Novitke paid tribute Monday to former Public Safety Director Jack L. Patterson, who died last week at the age of 80.

Novitke, speaking at the beginning of Monday’s specially called City Council meeting, said that Patterson was a “truly quality guy.”

“He gave a lot of time and service to this community,” Novitke said.

Patterson was born in Detroit on June 7, 1930, and he served in the United States Navy before becoming a police officer in Grosse Pointe Woods in 1956.

He was a police officer in the Woods for 43 years, and he became the city’s director of public safety in 1982, a position he held for 16 years. Patterson also served as the interim city administrator for five months in 1993.

“He was a very, very wonderful man,” said Councilwoman Vicky Granger.

“He was a quality guy,” Novitke said. “He commanded a great deal of respect from other people.”

Visitation is Tuesday from 2:30-9 p.m. at , and funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at .

Patterson is survived by his wife, Shirley; children Jack (Laura), Glenn and Jennifer (Dan) DiFranco; brother, James; and two grandchildren.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with him and the family,” Novitke said.