Spanish Fort city staff and loved ones gathered together Dec. 7 at Spirit Park last week to celebrate the life of beloved former city employee Pat Cornelius on what would have been his birthday.

Cornelius died unexpectedly in March this year, and Mayor Mike McMillan said it’s been a tough loss for the city and for him personally.

“Pat was pretty much a lifelong friend of mine, and I love and miss him,” McMillan said. “But I think all of us who knew Pat feel that way – he was a wonderful person, our friend and we’re still going to miss him.”

Cornelius started with the city July 3, 2006, helping start the city’s Public Works department. He was promoted to Parks and Recreation director in March 2008, a job McMillan said he thrived in.

“He was always here at Spirit Park, always working on something,” McMillan said. “You couldn’t keep him away from here. This place was like a child to him.”

McMillan said Cornelius was always outgoing and went out of his way to talk with people and help where he could.

“He never met a stranger,” McMillan said. “Pat was that way – always smiling. He’d love to answer the phone all the time at City Hall. I’m not sure what that was about but he always enjoyed it and could just strike up a conversation with anybody.”

McMillan said he was glad the city was coming together to plant and dedicate a Southern live oak to Cornelius’ memory at Spirit Park.

“It just fits with what I think he would want and like,” McMillan said. “He’ll always be a part of this special park that he loved.”

Becky Cornelius, Pat’s wife, spoke to the crowd gathered for the event and thanked them for the tree and for their continued support over the last few months.

“As we gather to honor Pat with the dedication of this Southern live oak, let us remember that it is symbolic of Pat’s strong dedication to his family and to this community,” Becky said. “May we see the roots take hold over the years and see the branch swoop down and reach high as a symbol of Pat’s unwavering kindness and generosity that reached out not just to people that he knew, but to strangers as well.”

City Attorney David Conner sang “Amazing Grace” following the unveiling of the plaque dedicating the tree and then a rendition of Pat’s favorite song “Stars Fell On Alabama” was played.

As people were walking away, one attendee remarked he knew Pat would be happy about the tree dedicated to his memory.

“He’s not going to have to be the one who has to clean up all the acorns it leaves on the tennis court,” the attendee said. “That’s definitely got him smiling.”