John Lewis Patten, 63, of New Canaan, Connecticut, and East Orleans, Massachusetts, died peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on September 12, 2012. John was born December 5, 1948, in Swedesboro, New Jersey, to the late Carmen and Helen (Perogine) Patten. A varsity letter winner in football and track at Paulsboro High School, John later served as a founding member of the Paulsboro Sports Hall of Fame. He continued his education at Rutgers College in New Brunswick, New Jersey, graduating in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. John remained an active alumnus and a devoted Scarlet Knights fan. He was a proud Eagle Scout and served in the United States Navy Reserve. John built a successful career on Wall Street and founded Benchmark Capital, a venture capital firm, in 1995. Filled with an adventurous spirit, John enjoyed numerous fishing expeditions to the Arctic Circle and completed three marathons in his 60s. He will be fondly remembered for his philanthropic work, perpetual smile, and devotion to his family. John is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen (Cunningham); three daughters: Anne Beaurline (Blount Edwards) of Fairfield, Connecticut, Mary (Paul) Rice of Hastings on Hudson, New York, and Sara (Dean) Moran of Jersey City, New Jersey; five grandchildren: Patrick, Elizabeth, Andrew, Timothy, and Catherine; twelve brothers and sisters: Carmen Jr. (Jean), Roseanne (Ralph) Lloyd, Phyllis Murphy, Mae Parker, Anthony (Bernadette), Patti (Bernard) Gavin, Joseph, Diane (William) Parker, JoAnn (John) Slusarski, Michael (Ann), James (Julianne), and Theresa Madden, and numerous nieces and nephews; and his brother-in-law, John (Karen) Cunningham and sister-in-law, Maryanne Connelly. John was pre-deceased by his parents and brother-in-law Harry Parker, Sr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday September 17, 2012 at 11:00 AM. at St Aloysius Church, Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 Interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan. Friends may call at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 on Sunday from 4 to8 PM. For directions and online condolences visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Lustgarten Foundation www.lustgarten.org 1111 Stewart Avenue Bethpage, NY 11714 or Vitas Innovative Hospice www.vitas.com 99 Hawley Lance Unit 1204 Stratford, CT 06614