SMITHFIELD, Va. – Padraic “Pat” Soule went to his final home on Oct. 17, 2023.

He was born Nov. 21, 1951, in Lewiston to Clinton Soule Jr. and Margaret “Peggy” Stearns Soule. He attended St. Joseph’s through the 8th grade, and Lewiston High School through the 11th grade at which time he joined the U.S. Navy, obtaining his GED and eventually a bachelor’s degree.

Although Pat traveled throughout the world during his 20-year Navy career, he always considered Maine his home. His license plate and email were MIEPAT (Mainer in Exile) and he tried to get back to Maine as often as he could, usually in the winter to enjoy as many hockey games as possible.

Pat met Virginia “Ginny” Porter, a fellow sailor, in Hawaii and they married there in 1976. They adopted two children from South Korea, Tiffany and Brian, who were the loves of his life. He was stationed in Washington, D.C. in the Honor Guard and later at Crystal City, Va.; Keflavik Iceland with his brother Mike; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Bath, Maine; Mayport, Fla., Albany, N.Y., and finally Norfolk, Va., living in Hampton upon retiring in 1991 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer Personnelman. He then began a new career with the U.S. Postal Service in Norfolk and Hampton, retiring in 2015, and relocating to the quaint town of Smithfield.

Pat was very proud of his Irish heritage and was fortunate to locate family members in Ireland, and he and Ginny made several trips there following this discovery. One of his cousins is a retired Catholic priest, Father Thomas Harrington, who has also traveled here several times to stay with Pat and Ginny. Pat legally changed his name from Patrick to Padraic after discovering his Irish lineage.

He was a fanatical Notre Dame and New England sports fan and didn’t miss too many Red Sox, Patriots or Bruins games on TV. He also was an avid fan of the Irish game of hurling and was always willing to explain the sport to the uninitiated.

Pat was predeceased by his parents; his son, Brian; his sister-in-law, Jolline; and his niece, Kayla Beaudoin.

He is survived by his wife, Ginny; daughter, Tiffany (Tyler); brothers Michael (Karen), Kevin and Shawn, sister, Kathleen Beaudoin (Raymond); and many nieces and nephews.

Pat was very active in the Church of the Good Shepherd in Smithfield, including Knights of Columbus, The Men’s Club and Parish Council.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Church of

the Good Shepherd,

300 Smithfield Boulevard

Smithfield, VA 23430

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