Pat grew up in Rochester, New York, where he showed early drive, discipline, and a strong sense of service. He began racing BMX bikes at age four and continued until he joined the Navy. In middle school, he joined the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and was named Rochester Sea Cadet of the Year in 2000 and Honor Cadet during a Navy SEAL orientation in 2001. He spent three years at McQuaid Jesuit High School, competing in cross-country and swimming. After moving to Edgewater, Maryland, he graduated from South River High School in 2002, where he followed a self-designed workout program to prepare for the SEALs. His passion for cycling, triathlons, and reading reflected his discipline and balance.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 2006, completed boot camp in January 2007, and began BUD/S the next month. He earned his SEAL Trident in May 2008 and joined a West Coast-based SEAL Team in Coronado, California. He completed two deployments to Iraq and another to Afghanistan in 2011. As a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, communicator, machine gunner, and assaulter, he was trusted with the most demanding missions. He brought together intellect, work ethic, and drive with humility, selflessness, and loyalty. On August 16, 2012, during operations northeast of Kandahar, he was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his Black Hawk helicopter.

His legacy lives on through his wife, Emily, and through his extended family, friends, and fellow SEALs. Each year, Team Cry Havoc honors him by swimming in the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim—a 3.1-mile open-water fundraiser for the Navy SEAL Foundation.