Patrick J Wynne

Patrick “Pakie” Joseph Wynne of Yonkers, New York, formerly of Inagh Co. Clare, passed away on September 14th, 2021, at the age of 90. Born to James and Bridget Wynne, Pakie was one of nine children. After attending the Inagh National School, Pakie began working for the Clare County Council, where his brother Pete was his boss. Following the Council, he went to work at the Queen's Hotel in Ennis, but Pakie had bigger dreams. He decided to immigrate to England and then The Bronx, thanks to his brother Pete’s sponsorship. Pakie's first job in New York was as a super for a Brooklyn public school and next he worked in transportation at Sunshine Biscuits. Pakie was best known for being a co-proprietor of Durty Nelly’s.

In 1958, Pakie met his soulmate Mary Kelly while she was selling tickets for St. Patricks Father's. She refused to give Pakie her phone number unless he bought a ticket. Pakie always loved to say, "she cost me money when I first met her, and she has cost me money ever since." The rest is history. They married at St. Joseph's in Astoria in 1962 and were blessed with three wonderful children, Breda, Brian, and Maureen. The Wynne Family moved to Woodlawn in 1977 where they became parishioners of St. Barnabas Church. Pakie was a devout catholic and served as an usher at St. Barnabas for more than 20 years.

Many people who knew Pakie remember him from Durty Nelly's, an Irish bar famously known in the Wolfe Tones song "The Streets of New York." Pakie purchased the bar in 1973 with his partner Phil Delaney, where they hosted Irish show bands. Pakie operated the bar until it closed in 1983. He spent the next ten years working at the Aqueduct bar for the Moynihan family.

Family and friends were very important to Pakie, and they loved him dearly. Everyone will remember him as charismatic, witty, and a sharp dresser. Pakie loved attending and rooting for his grandchildren’s sporting events, socializing with family and friends, rooting for Clare hurling and football teams, spending time at Gaelic Park, playing cards, and taking trips back home to Ireland to see family.

Pakie is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary. His three children, Breda (Donal) Clare, Brian (Mary) Wynne, and Maureen (Terence) Rafferty. He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren, Brendan (Danielle), Martina, Kevin, Michelle, Kelly, Brigid, Cíara, Patrick R., Liam, Lauren, Mary, Brian, Patrick W., and James. He will be missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Pakie is predeceased by his brothers, Patrick, Pete, Mikey, Jimmy, Taidgh, and his sisters Susan, Bridget, and Mary (Ward).

A celebration of Pakie's life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York, on Sunday, September 19th, from 1-5 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Barnabas Church located at 409 East 241 Street, Bronx, NY 10470, on Monday, September 20th at 10:45 am. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com.

The mass will be live streamed at St. Barnabas Facebook Live.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you contribute to a charity. We have included some suggestions below, but feel free to donate to a charity you are passionate about.

American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/

Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation https://www.cff.org