Former politician Perrin Beatty tragically loses second son, who died four days after his wedding

Tragedy has struck the Beatty family for a second time. After losing his oldest son, Christopher, in a motorcycle accident in 2008, former federal cabinet minister Perrin Beatty has had to say goodbye to his only other child after an automobile accident last month took the life of Patrick Caverhill Beatty.

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Patrick died just four days after his wedding to Nabiha Paracha, in a crash that injured his wife. The two had been married at an outdoor ceremony overlooking Lake Muskoka, in cottage country North of Ontario and made an offer on a home there, before setting off for Ottawa to attend Patrick’s 20-year high school reunion.

But they never made it.

A celebration of life will take place Saturday in Ottawa for Patrick, who was 38 years old. His brother, Christopher, was just 24 when he died in a motorcycle accident in Thailand. Patrick will be laid to rest in Beechwood Cemetery beside his brother.

Patrick’s father, 76-year-old Perrin Beatty, served as a Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for more than 20 years, having first won election at the age of 22 in the 1972 election. He married his wife, Julie, in February of 1974.

In 1979 Beatty became, at the time, the youngest person ever appointed to a Cabinet position when then prime minister Joe Clark named him to the Treasury Board.

According to an obituary from Beechwood, Patrick and Nabiha were married on Sept. 19.

“The happiest days of Patrick’s life came just before his death,” the obituary says. “Nabiha was the star Patrick’s solar system orbited around; he was filled with joy whenever he was with her, and she inspired him always to be his best. The wedding allowed them to share their utmost happiness with friends and family, many of whom had travelled long distances to celebrate with them.”

The following Monday, the newlyweds made an offer on a home in Muskoka, a move the obituary calls “the realization of a longstanding dream.”

Two days after that, they set off for Ottawa, where Patrick planned to attend a reunion with high school classmates at Ashbury College. The accident happened on the way there. His wife was sent to hospital but her injuries are not life-threatening, Ashbury said in a Facebook post.

“Ashbury introduced Patrick to the close-knit group of friends who would remain an important part of his life, many of whom became familiar faces in the Beatty household,” the obituary says. “It also fostered a lifelong passion for learning. It was at Ashbury that Patrick discovered his love of the dramatic arts and creative writing, interests that, for a time, inspired dreams of becoming a film director.”

Patrick earned his undergraduate degree at Western University in London, and a Master of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. At the time of his death, he was more than halfway through an MBA from Dalhousie University.

Patrick was just 19 when Christopher died.

“Losing Christopher taught Patrick about the fragility of life, the importance of relationships, and the need to use our time to make a difference,” Beechwood said. “He promoted organ donation and became active in politics to contribute to his country and community. He respected anyone who made a similar commitment regardless of political belief.”

Patrick worked in the Canadian energy sector, first with Suncor Energy in Calgary and most recently with Pattern Energy in Toronto, where his responsibilities included fostering relationships between the energy sector and Canada’s Indigenous peoples. He had a book on the topic with him at the time of his accident, his obituary notes.

The celebration of Patrick’s life will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 in the Great Hall at Ashbury College in Ottawa, followed by his interment. Ashbury College has also created the Patrick Caverhill Beatty ’06 Memorial Fund in his memory.

It feels like yesterday, not 47 years ago today, that Julie and I married. Until, of course, I look at the picture and wonder where that young guy went. (Julie still looks the same, though!) pic.twitter.com/iOhGX0rAYr

— Perrin Beatty (@PerrinBeatty) February 23, 2021

After the 1984 election of Brian Mulroney, Perrin was made Minister of National Revenue and Minister responsible for Canada Post. He subsequently served as Solicitor General, Minister of National Defence, Minister of National Health and Welfare, and Minister of Communications. He was Secretary of State for External Affairs in the short-lived Kim Campbell government but lost his seat in the 1993 election, which returned only two Tory MPs.

“A sincere thanks to everyone who has reached out following the loss of our beloved Patrick Beatty,” he wrote in a post on LinkedIn. “Julia, Nabiha and I greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness at this sad time.”

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