March 17, 1950 - January 23, 2020
Patrick Emanuel Brock was born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1950 (March 17, 1950), in San Francisco, CA to the union of Joseph Clayton and Ozella Brock, who proceeded him in death. He was the fifth of six children.
Patrick was baptized on January 7, 1951 as a Roman Catholic in San Francisco, CA at Sacred Heart Church. He received his first Holy Communion on May 12, 1957 at St Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco, CA.
Patrick and his family moved to Palo Alto, CA ub 1962 where he attended Terman Middle School. Patrick also attended Woodside High School in Woodside, CA where he played football as a Woodside Wildcat.
Patrick excelled with his pursuits in life. He always had a mind for business. As a child, Patrick would wear suits to grammar school. In 1969, Patrick opened his first business, the Nairobi Cleaners, located in East Palo Alto, CA with his partner, Steve Smothers. They operated te cleaners for five years.
In 1974, Patrick moved to Hawaii where he continued his entrepreneurial endeavors. He moved to New York in 1980, and finally returned to California in 1990. In 1992, Patrick began dating his soulmate, Sue Kepney. They married in 2002 ad has spent the last 17 years happily married.
Patrick worked for Free At Last in 1991. He founded Brock & Co. in 1992, and The Start Up Entrepreneurship Program, which later developed into the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center in East Palo Alto, San Jose and San Francisco, CA.
Patrick was very involved with community work and activities in East Palo Alto, CA. He assisted with Children’s Day for 25 years, as well as the Reading Rainbow program.
Patrick is well-known for organizing East Palo Alto’s yearly Blues Festival. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame as a Blues Promoter. At his demise, Patrick wore many hats in the community. They include: president of the Belle Haven Chamber of Commerce, liaison for development projects and property manager.
He was involved with the revitalization of East Palo Alto not only with the city but through The Sobrato Organization, Sandhill Property Company and Brock and Company, a non-profit.
The "Boss" has left East Palo Alto and taken with him the happiness he brought to so many of us. He was one of six children of Ozella and Joseph Brock, both deceased. Richmond Milton Brock, Sr.
Patrick leaves in this life to cherish his memories, his beloved wife, Karen Sue Kepney Brock of East Palo Alto, CA. He leaves behind a brother Luther, sisters Ashah Al-Amin, Mona Lisa, a sister Bernardine (deceased) and brother Milton (deceased). His children Antoine, Waynette, Gee (deceased), Alicia, Patrick,Jr. and Christin are tasked with continuing the legacy.
He also leaves his three best friends: Clint Powell, Court Skinner and Owen Byrd and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends.
"He did not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it." Hats off to Patrick.