'Love transcends goodbye'

By Bobby Philbrook

For some, it was difficult to hold back tears. For others, it was a celebration of life. But for all the friends and family members who gathered in Mission Church Monday afternoon, Pat Wroe's memorial service was a way to come together and remember a beloved friend.

"It's God's mysterious way of calling someone home too early in life," said University President Paul Locatelli, S.J.

The sophomore business major died on Dec. 22 in a car accident while home for Christmas break in Cape Cod, Mass.

Pat's father David appreciated the outpouring of support from people touched by his son's life but also reminded the gathering of the community's positive impact on his son.

"Intense in everything, Pat saved the best for his friends and family. Pat is still a friend, still loyal and still close," said David Wroe, Pat's father. He was accompanied by Pat's mother. "Santa Clara and you all brought out the very best in him. Thank you all for everything you've done for Pat and our family."

Director of Campus Ministry Jack Treacy, S.J., welcomed people of all faith backgrounds in his homily and expressed his appreciation for the strong showing of support.

"Nobody expects a young and vibrant person like Pat to die so young," said Treacy. "We gather with mixed emotions: confusion, some disbelief and just possibly some anger. How could a good and loving God let this happen?"

Locatelli presided over the Catholic Mass, along with six other Jesuits.

Before the Communion Rite, Vice Provost for Student Life Jeanne Rosenberger and Associate Dean Matthew Duncan presented the bread and wine at the altar behind sophomores Angela Crawford and Patrizia Zito, who danced up the aisle, finishing by presenting flowers to Wroe's parents.

After communion, the service concluded with reflections by Pat's friends Brian Shumway, Courtney Monfort, Caroline Clark, PJ Johnson and Curran Hart. Each remembered a different side of Pat, but he was universally renowned for his loveable jokes and ability to capture everyone's attention.

Shumway, who worked closely with Treacy to plan the service, said Pat "would be upset if he knew I was up here mourning his death instead of celebrating his life." Shumway told stories about his best friend's jovial antics last year when they both lived on the sixth floor of Swig, including a sloppy food fight complete with mayonnaise, A-1 Steak Sauce and several plastic cups of water.

"The whole hall smelled awful, but it was so funny," recalled Shumway.

Monfort, a sophomore who also lived on the sixth floor of Swig last year, told those gathered in the Mission Church how Wroe helped her through a rough transition into college life.

"He was always there to make me laugh or give me a hug," she recalled. "He had an amazing personality."

Sophomore Caroline Clark sang the LeAnn Rimes song "Please Remember" as one of the five reflections after the Communion Rite.

"I'll always think of you and smile," sang a tearful Clark. "Though we go our separate ways, please remember me." Clark worried about maintaining her composure and held back tears while speaking.

"I would not be able to stay composed whatsoever if I read something," said Clark afterward. "I felt that I could sing something instead to show him I cared and to tell him and his family how much his relationship meant to me."

The service concluded with appreciative words from David Wroe. He told a story about making a pledge to St. Clare outside the Mission Church while visiting the university with his son. He promised to rejoin the Catholic Church if Pat made it off the waiting list and into the school. He still keeps the pledge and reiterated his vow at the end of the service.

"Our Lady has had a big hand in Pat's life," said David, who was wearing the St. Clare medal frequently donned by his son. David recalled his son's excitement about the baptism of his niece, just a few days before the tragedy.

"Love transcends even goodbye," sang Campus Ministry's Greg Schultz. "Goodbye, my friend."

Contact Bobby Philbrook at (408) 554-4546 or rphilbrook@scu.edu.