September 20, 1947 – January 13, 2024

Patrick G. Giles, age 76, of Naples, FL, died peacefully, Saturday, January 13, 2024.

Patrick Giles was born on September 20, 1947 in Fort Knox, KY, to the late Warren and Helen (Higgins) Giles. Pat is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane Giles, daughters Molly (Matt) Phillips and Emily (Brian) Gallucci, sisters Dorri (Ray) Raposa and Peggy Giles and his favorite, grandchildren Bryce and Madeline. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families. The oldest of four siblings, Pat was pre- deceased by his sister, Mary Giles-Hall.

Raised as an Army brat, Pat attended many schools across the country and in Europebefore attending Immaculata High School in Leavenworth, Kansas. During this time,Pat found success academically in the class room and exhibited exceptional athletic ability with a keen understanding of the game – baseball, football, and basketball.

Pat attended Kansas University for two years and completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in Education and Mathematics at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. During his time at Canisius, he played quarterback for the club football team.

The abrupt end to football after college didn’t stop Pat, he went on to play semi- professional football for the Lockport Travelers. His love for sports, shorter shorts, and a desire to keep playing, ultimately led him to his second family, the Buffalo Old Boys Rugby Club where he played for over 20 years.

Pat was a devoted mathematics teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools and even had the honor of being crowned Pi King on 3/14 after coaching his math league team to the City Championships.

Teaching is where Pat found the love of his life, Mary Jane. Whether it was her buzzing bell bottoms embroidered with bees or her infectious personality, he was fortunate enough to spend 44 years of marriage with Jane. Despite their long, loving union Pat steadfastly refused to take any fashion cues from the always stylish Jane. In addition to many trips with friends and family across the US and Canada, they enjoyed fixing the world’s problems over a crossword puzzle and coffee at home or wings and a beverage at Cole’s.

The perfect combination of Pat’s love for sports and teaching ultimately lead him to his favorite part time activity – coaching. He coached Canisius College’s club football team and ultimately found his passion coaching their rugby team with a longtime friend and teammate from 1989 to 2003. Despite the small college size and legendary postgame celebrations, the program gained national recognition with three state championships and multiple trips to the Northeast Playoffs. Pat’s dedication was evident in his commitment to developing athletes. He was not only a coach, but a mentor and role model to many. Despite all his success at the collegiate level, Pat’s biggest coaching challenge would not deal with set pieces or rucks but rather coaching both his daughters’ U16 soccer teams. Teenage girls who know everything and can “coach themselves” became his toughest conquest.

Once he realized his body couldn’t handle rugby anymore, Pat turned his focus to golf. Whether it was in Florida or Cape Cod, Pat had a solid group of golfing buddies that put up with his excuses of “spontaneous club metal fatigue” when his drives weren’t going as far.

He was dedicated to his family, especially his daughters and grandchildren, supporting all their many activities and accomplishments. As a girl dad, he embraced the tea parties with teddy bears and, starting at a young age, enjoyed telling Molly and Emily they couldn’t date until they were 30. Pat’s beloved grandchildren, Bryce and Maddie, adoringly called him Big P. They always knew their grandpa was bigger than life and they loved every minute with him. He was also a dedicated Bills fan, suffering for decades, hoping for that first Superbowl win.

Private services will be held. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Buffalo, NY. For those who wish, donations in Pat’s memory may be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo – Butler Mitchell (https://www.bgcbuffalo.org).