Lost among all the homage to the late Pat O’Day has been mention of his years as the spokesman for Schick Shadel Hospital. The South Seattle facility, a national leader in alcohol and drug treatment, is running a TV spot on local network and cable TV stations to honor its long-time spokesman—and former patient and owner.
It’s one of two rare tributes. The other is the lead editorial that appeared in The Seattle Times, noting the loss of “a cultural icon,” with Pat’s passing—preceded by a lengthy obituary, also reserved for the very few. Those kinds of recognitions usually are accorded to national figures and local civic leaders.
Schick Shadel Marketing Director Mark Woodward said, “Pat O’Day was a long-time friend of Schick Shadel Hospital. He was passionate about helping people suffering from addiction to get their lives back. Pat worked with the hospital in various capacities for more than 30 years, including being part of an ownership group that saved it from bankruptcy. He will be missed.”
A lengthy article I wrote about Pat in 2010 contained this passage: “Pat says he was a ‘happy drunk,’ who could consume more than a fifth of whiskey a day and continue to function. In 1986, after downing his daily ration, he even emceed a broadcast awards show and the very next morning faced an intervention by eight of his business friends. ‘I honestly thought they were there to give me an award,’ Pat laughs. ‘I was mad when I found out what they were up to. I agreed to go into treatment, but I was determined to beat the system and continue drinking. Thankfully, the system beat me.’”
His son, Jerry, who worked at Schick for seven years as VP/marketing, said he’s been contacted by many of the headllners and band members who performed in Pat’s concerts in years past about staging a special event in his memory. As a result, Jerry is planning a “celebration of life for an exceptional man” sometime next year, depending on the pandemic restrictions.
Jerry recalled how his dad had gone through the Schick treatment program in 1987 and “became the father I never knew I had.” He said he, too, took the treatment in 1989, at his dad’s behest. “After that, I always told him that he gave me life twice.”
News Flash! This post begat an email from another local broadcast legend named Pat—in this case, Cashman—who wrote: “I know that, beyond his manifest talent and industry stature, we all have stories of how abundantly kind and encouraging Pat O’Day was to us other more mortal practitioners. He was big, but his head wasn’t. He always kept a sense of proportion—and a wonderful ability to laugh at himself. Note the attached cameo he did for my ‘the 206’ show a few years ago. After doing another bit on a subsequent occasion, he dashed from our studio to catch a ferry—still wearing his mic. We didn’t get it back for a month… I hope—and am sure—that wherever he is right now, there IS a mic close at hand…
And below are links to the Schick Shadel TV tribute, a classic Pat O’Day spot for Schick and his patient-lecture video.
http://marketingnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ss-memorial-15-2.mov
Pat O’Day Dies At 85
Pat O’Day, the radio legend, concert promoter and hydro-race announcer, died at his home on the San Juan Island, surrounded by family, on Aug. 4. He was 85.
Pat’s death was Breaking News on all the 11 p.m. newscasts and lit up social media with condolences and memories from his many friends and admirers. And it even earned a rare lead editorial in The Seattle Times.
Just a week ago, Pat and his friends held a celebratory Zoom party. Their reason for rejoicing was this Facebook post from Pat on July 15: “Almost a year ago, I was diagnosed at Swedish Hospital as having Stage-4 lung cancer. Since then, I have had treatments at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance with their new immunotherapy. Whether because of prayer or Dr. Eaton’s treatments, my cancer is gone! Thanks friends, for your support…”
His son, Jeff, said that, although his dad—a five-decade smoker—survived lung cancer, “the COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) was still there.” Besides Jeff, Pat is survived by his wife Stephanie John O’Day, two other sons, Jerry and Gary, daughter Kelsey O’Day and several grandchildren.
George Toles, a colleague from their radio days who organized the Zoom party, said, “Pat needed no prodding to add his captivating yarns about an eclectic group of people he knew, ranging from the Beach Boys and Jim Owens to Don Coryell and Charlie Manson. Singer Merrilee Rush, deejays Tom Murphy, Gary Shannon and Ichabod Caine and dozens more were online to give their iconic mentor plenty of love.”
Below are links to the two-hour Zoom party and two of George’s earlier interviews with Pat.
Pat O’Day interview July 28, 2020, Part #3
Pat O’Day interview June 17, 2020, Part #2
Pat O’Day interview, May 13, 2020, Part #1
Perhaps the most comprehensive look at Pat’s remarkable life is contained in his page on the MARKETING IMMORTALS website, which was posted at the time of his induction in 2009. Watch here for service details.
Rest in peace, dear friend. —Larry and Melissa Vail Coffman
P.S. Pat instigated the only standing ovation I ever received. The occasion came at the close of the MARKETING Awards EVENT on May 25, 2017—which also happened to be my 80th birthday. —LC
P.P.S. And here’s the interview with Pat that Paul Casey recorded that same evening for his Voices of Experience radio show on KKNW.
