Patrick Potter

Patrick Potter left this earth unexpectedly on May 2, 2020, leaving behind many loved ones who miss him every day. Born in New Orleans on October 25, 1965, as the fifth of six children in a Catholic family, Patrick moved at a young age to Jackson, Mississippi, where he grew up through high school. A skilled and competitive bowler with professional aspirations, Patrick graduated Sigma Phi Epsilon from the University of Southern Mississippi. He eventually relocated to Atlanta and worked there for more than a decade in sales operations for AT&T. In his early 40s Patrick made the bold life change of moving to San Francisco. Proudly holding the title of “Mr. October 2011” on SF’s Bare Chest Calendar, he met the man who became his husband, and together they came to Santa Barbara in 2014 and built a new life together. As an “honorary mayor” of the Villa Capri Aire complex, Patrick made quick friends with his neighbors thanks to his Southern charm and manners, not to mention his impeccable cooking skills. His door was always open to anyone who wanted a cocktail or even something to eat, because as Patrick said of the South: “You always make enough for someone who might drop by.” An annual highlight here in Santa Barbara were the Mardi Gras parties he proudly orchestrated with his remarkable social energy. While he worked hard full-time in the telecom industry, Patrick always knew how to have fun, among all else as a super-fan of the Go-Go’s. Now he’s with his father and one of his brothers in paradise, where no doubt “the cup is flowing.” Patrick is survived by his husband, Ryan, his mother, Meme, one sister, three brothers, several extended relatives, a number of close friends, and his chosen Santa Barbara family. (A full-page tribute appears in the October 22 issue.)