June 9, 1980 – February 6, 2026 (age 45)
Patrick Stewart McKerley, 45, of Littleton, New Hampshire, died on February 6, six months after being diagnosed with colon cancer. He engaged in his treatment as he did most things in life, with strength and determination. He worked on ski patrol at Bretton Woods for 22 years. He was a highly valued senior patroller, OEC instructor, and high-angle instructor trainer, building the gondola evacuation training program.
Patrick grew up in Contoocook, New Hampshire, the son of Mark and Kimberly Stewart McKerley, now of Braintree, Vermont. From childhood, it was evident that Patrick was destined for outdoor life. Hiking, camping, rock climbing, bicycling, and canoeing were early favorites. But nothing compared to his love of skiing, which began early and grew through the years.
He graduated from Tilton School in Tilton, NH, in 1999, where his love of the outdoors was nurtured, especially in the school’s Winter Wilderness Program. In 2003, he received a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Education, specializing in Adventure Based Management, from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. It was at Northland where his passion for skiing took off. A highlight of his college years was a month-long stay in the Everest Region of Nepal, where he was part of a delegation of students that taught first aid to mountain porters.
After college, Patrick worked briefly for the Appalachian Mountain Club before moving to Bretton Woods Ski Resort in 2004, where he found deep joy in his work and a community that became family.
On the mountain, he was a Ski Patroller, Canopy Tour Guide, and Race Team Coach. He lent a hand to the snow makers, lift operators, and maintenance workers and assisted with events at the mountaintop function hall. He also often served as a guide to news outlets as they profiled the mountain, because his knowledge of the area and his dry wit made for good media. At Bretton Woods, they describe Patrick as “a force of nature whose presence was everywhere and who will be sorely missed by all of those he touched, from co-workers to guests, Alpine Club members, Race Team kids, and more… There wasn’t any one area that he didn’t influence and touch, as Patrick made sure that everyone had the support they needed.”
Patrick’s huge heart and generous spirit, along with his good-natured sarcasm and wicked sense of humor, will be missed.
In addition to his parents, Patrick is survived by his sister, Kirsten McKerley, sister-in-law Andra, and niece, Harper of Laconia, NH, and his brother, Craig McKerley, of Skagway, Alaska, as well as his step-grandmother Carolyn McKerley, and aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his grandparents, James and Marilyn McKerley and Alan and Katharine Stewart.
