Judge Patrick Gilroy

Judge Patrick Daniel Gilroy, a longtime member of St. Agatha Parish in Southeast Portland, died Thursday, April 10 in Rancho Mirage, Calif., after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 75.
Judge Gilroy was born Aug. 31, 1932 in North Portland and attended Holy Redeemer Grade School and graduated from Central Catholic High School. He went to Oregon State University on a baseball scholarship before graduating from University of Portland. He received his law degree from the University of San Francisco and spent two years, active duty, in the US Air Force. In 1955, he married Donna Soderberg.
Judge Gilroy’s law career began in the Clackamas County District Attorney’s office, where he served as chief deputy for two years, then entered private practice for 10 years in Oregon City. In 1974, Gov. Tom McCall appointed him to the bench where he served until 2005. He was elected to five, six-year terms as circuit court judge and served as presiding judge for eight years. He was the longest serving circuit court judge in the history of Clackamas County.
Upon retirement, he started Gilroy Mediation and had been working part-time as a senior judge in Clackamas County. An avid New York Yankees baseball fan, Judge Gilroy valued his childrens’ education and making the Christmas season magical.
Survivors include wife Donna Gilroy, daughter Catherine Portwood; sons Patrick Gilroy, Michael Gilroy, Brian Gilroy; Kevin Gilroy; Daniel Gilroy and John Gilroy and 21 grandchildren. A Mass of Christian burial was held April 19 at St. Agatha. Remembrances may be made to Central Catholic or Friends of St. Agatha.