Patrick G Duniho

Patrick G. Duniho
February 23, 1947 - August 27, 2022

Plattsburgh - Patrick Duniho, 75, of Addoms St passed away suddenly on August 27.

Pat was born in Aurora, Colorado to Jack and Emma Duniho. He was an “Air Force Brat” who moved frequently during his youth. His family settled in Peru, NY where he graduated from school in 1965. He earned a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1969. After graduating he worked as a commercial artist. He had a Graphic Design business in Plattsburgh for many years prior to becoming an Art Teacher for the Plattsburgh City School District from 1989 until his retirement in 2014.

Throughout his life he loved working on “projects” which turned into hobbies and then into businesses. When he moved back to the North Country, he bought land on Murtagh Hill and built his own house using tree stumps as a foundation. During this time, he made various wrought iron household essentials as the “Murtagh Hill Blacksmith”. Being a man who enjoys always learning and always looking for new challenges he then moved on to videography. He was gifted a video camera from his father and then began to document our lives, as well as the lives of others. He documented the various stages of production of the PHS musical “West Side Story”, made the family favorite “The Clarinet” and captured the growth of his cherished daughter, Colleen.

Photography was a constant means of visual expression of art for Pat, starting with 35 mm and moving on the medium and large format cameras. He took his medium format camera around the country creating stunning color and black and white photos. He had a passion for nature and loved exploring its various colors and textures with his photos, which then became the basis for watercolors.

After retirement from Plattsburgh High School, Pat turned the garage into a pottery studio opening a shop called, “Pat’s Practical Pottery”, he produced ceramic items for household use. Creating unique items such as French Butter Crocks, Bread Bowls, egg separators as well as an assortment of coffee mugs, soup bowls, and cereal bowls.

Pat enjoyed showing his love through his numerous gifts of original artwork. Family and friends are fortunate to have these treasured keepsakes.

Pat was also an accomplished instrument maker, having made two violins and a mandolin. He used the skills learned from musical instrument building to start a repair business. He was always at the ready to replace hair on a bow, set up an instrument, replace a bridge or glue anything. His final project was a guitar that he had received from his beloved daughter-in-law and took on the challenge of rebuilding it. He worked on it for several months and finished it 4 days before his passing. He was so excited to “finally have a Martin guitar”.

Another constant in Pat’s life was music. He loved all kinds of music but was a devoted folk musician and prolific songwriter. He began playing the guitar as a youth and moved on to the banjo, fiddle, accordion, bodhran, National Steel guitar, harmonica, and penny whistle. He has written hundreds of songs with each one reflecting a time, feeling or experience in his life. He wrote his final song, “What I’m Gonna Do With You” 4 days before he died. He played in numerous music groups, in high school playing in “Folkways”. He was very proud of how much that group of very young people accomplished. He especially enjoyed a collaboration with a former member for his 50th high school reunion. He was a member of the “Too Tall String Band” for many years playing throughout the North Country. After taking some time away from playing in bands, Pat recently started playing with a variety of North Country folk musicians. He really enjoyed these new collaborations with such wonderful people. He played everything by ear, spending hours learning new songs or techniques. One of his greatest joys was playing music with his daughter in law, Marcy. Pat and his brother Dan collaborated throughout their lives playing and recording their own compositions.

Aside from his artistic and musical achievements Pat was a devoted teacher. He cared very much about making sure his students were not only educated in Art but in life as well. He introduced many new concepts and ideas trying to open their eyes to inside and outside of this world.

Pat was a kind, patient, inspirational, and loving father. He found so much joy fishing with Gavin, having a generous pour with Micah, and doing projects with Colleen. He truly loved them and always wanted to be there for them.

Pat and Linda were very fortunate to share many interests; golfing, camping, music, museums, books, travel, walking the dog, binging TV shows, DYI projects, canoeing, games, history, and happy hour on the screened porch.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Sullivan, sons, Gavin Lambert (Marcy Cochran), Micah Duniho, (Valerie), stepdaughter, Rachel Bombardier, daughter, Colleen Duniho, brothers, Michael Duniho, and Dan Duniho (Kate Phillips) and sister Sheila Pfister (Steve), granddaughters Sarah and Piper Duniho as well as many nieces and nephews. Gary (Bucko) has lost his favorite companion.

Pat was predeceased by his parents, brother Terrence Duniho and sister Kathleen Johnson.

There will be a celebration of his life on September 6, 2022. Calling hours will be from 2:00pm - 3:00pm with the celebration starting at 3pm at the Brown Funeral Home. The celebration will be casual so please come as you are and plan to wear a shade of blue (Pat’s favorite color). Friends and family will be received after the celebration at The Butcher Block’s Adirondack Room. Music, stories, fond memories, and laughter are encouraged. Pat’s well lived life will be memorialized just as he lived. With love, joy, laughter and maybe a glass of fine scotch.

If you are unable to attend in person, please visit Brown Funeral Home Facebook Page for a live stream of the celebration.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, New York 12901 (518) 561-3980. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com