Patrick Colum Carroll

Obituary for Patrick Colum Carroll

September 2, 1962 - July 10, 2025

 

Patrick Colum Carroll’s 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.

 

He attended Moycullen National School and Coláiste Éinde Secondary School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Electronics from the National University of Ireland, Galway (UCG). His commitment to lifelong learning led him to pursue graduate coursework in computer science and mathematics at Carnegie Mellon, Georgia State, Old Dominion, and Troy State Universities in the US.

 

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. He was a voracious reader, a devoted cinephile, and a passionate music lover, curating extensive personal collections in each.

 

After several years in industry, Patrick moved to the United States and joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served with distinction as a Communications 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, Outstanding Unit Award, Organizational Excellence Award, the National Defense Service Medal, and the prestigious Oak Leaf Cluster Medal.

 

Following his honorable discharge, Patrick channeled his talents into computer science, writing elegant code, leading teams, and architecting complex systems. He earned numerous certifications and accolades along the way, including being named an inventor on three patents.

 

A true polyglot and global citizen, Patrick had a deep love of 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 Latin contract.

 

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 and legacy, consider a donation a local animal shelter near you (Lifeline Animal Project - lifelineanimal.org - in Atlanta, Georgia is where Patrick rescued Sherlock, “the best dog in the world”).

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