Patrick Colum Carroll

Patrick Colum Carroll, 62, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes in Atlanta, GA.
His life was a tapestry woven across continents, disciplines, and passions. Born in Leicestershire County, England, he spent his early childhood in France at Toul-Rosières Air Force Base, where his family was stationed with the U.S. military. Eventually, they settled in Moycullen, County Galway, Ireland—his mother’s hometown—where Patrick’s roots deepened and his curiosity flourished.

Patrick’s youth in Ireland was marked by creativity, adventure, and industriousness. He built and collected model airplanes, assembled a computer from mail-order parts, and spent countless hours cycling and kayaking on Lough Corrib. He played rugby in school and swam competitively with the Shark Swimming Club. Summers were filled with hands-on work—cutting and footing turf, saving hay, and tending livestock for local farmers and businesses.

As a college student, he had an appreciation for the unique founding principles of America. With his father being a US citizen, he initially moved to the YMCA in NYC, where he was advised to head to the Jersey Shore to find work. There, Sophocles Pantelas, someone he spoke fondly of every week of his life, hired him as a short-order cook in his Greek restaurant. He returned there every summer until he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Electronics from the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Patrick began his career in the U.K. before relocating permanently to the US, where he joined the United States Air Force and served with distinction as a Computer Systems and Analysis Officer. Over the course of six years, he rose to the rank of Captain and graduated from the USAF Squadron Officers’ School. His service was recognized with numerous honors, including the Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, the Organizational Excellence Award, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Oak Leaf Cluster Medal.

Following his honorable discharge, Patrick directed his talents toward computer science, designing complex systems, building cross-functional partnerships, gap analysis, and his favorite, writing elegant code. A huge fan of open-source projects, he earned numerous certifications and accolades, including being named a co-inventor on three patents.

A highly regarded industry expert in Finance, Healthcare, Security, Telecom, and IT Consulting, he was a published contributor and committed to lifelong learning, which led him to take graduate courses in computer science and mathematics at Carnegie Mellon, Georgia State, Old Dominion, and Troy State Universities. He often encouraged others to “Study what you love, be committed to excellence, be well-read and well-rounded, make your word your bond, continue to learn your craft, and you will always be employable.” He was a passionate and sought-after mentor to many technologists, both young and old, and volunteered for many years at Camp MAGIK, a weekend bereavement camp for kids who had lost a loved one.

A true polyglot and global citizen, Patrick loved travel and languages. He took pride in mastering French, Irish, Japanese, and Latin, often joking that the Pope had yet to call him in on a contract. Friends described him as brilliant, charming, well-mannered, and witty.

Patrick is survived by his wife, Virginia A. Bradley; his sisters, Catherine E. Carroll-Noke, Teresa M. Carroll, and Patricia A. Carroll; his sister-in-law, Mary Fay-Carroll; his brothers-in-law, Gary Noke and Eric Burke; nieces, Jessica Noke, Avril Burke, Hannah Murray, Sylvia Carroll, and Anna Carroll; and nephews, Matthew Noke and Henry Noke. He was predeceased by his father, Hugh L. Carroll; his mother, Nonie P. Carroll (née Madden); and his brother, Brendan M. Carroll.

To honor Patrick’s life, there will be a series of small private celebrations. If you feel called, consider a donation to Lifeline Animal Project (lifelineanimal.org) in Atlanta, GA—where he rescued Sherlock, “the best dog in the whole wide world”—or to the Wounded Warrior Project, both causes very close to his heart.

Services entrusted to Boston's Funeral & Cremation Service 404.228.1067. 

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