Biography

01/07/1924 - 03/10/2001

Patrick James Stapleton, Jr., (R41) Armstrong, Clarion, Indiana and Jefferson Counties 1970 (D41) Armstrong, Clarion, Indiana and Jefferson Counties 1971- 1982 (D41) Armstrong (Part), Clarion (Part), Clearfield (Part), Indiana (Part) and Jefferson Counties 1983-1992 (D41) Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson (Part) and Westmoreland (Part) Counties 1993-2000

Early Life:

Patrick James Stapleton, Jr., born January 7, 1924, Chambersville, Indiana County, Pennsylvania; son of Patrick J. Sr. and Bertha Stadtmiller Stapleton; Indiana Area High School, 1943; United States Navy, WWII, 1943-1947; attended, Penn State University; Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) social studies, (B.S.), 1950; married, Madeline Feidler Stapleton, son, Patrick J. Stapleton, III; restaurant owner; elected, Democrat, Indiana County Commissioner, 1962-1969; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1970; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1971-2000, elected, Minority Policy Committee Chairman, 1983- 1992, elected, Majority Policy Committee Chairman, 1992-1994, elected, Minority Policy Committee Chairman, 1994-1996, elected, Minority Caucus Administrator, 1997-2000; died, March 10, 2001 (age 77 years, 65 days), Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; interment, Saint Bernard's Cemetery, Indiana, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. 

Early Career:

Chairman, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Council of Trustees; president, Comprehensive Health, Pennsylvania State Association of Commissioners; director, Southwest Pennsylvania Economic Development District; member, Licensed Practical Nurse Association of Pennsylvania Advisory Board, WPSX-TV Community Advisory Board, State Task Force on Comprehensive Health, State Agricultural Land Preservation Board, Indiana University of Pennsylvania  Patrick J. Stapleton Jr. Library, Saint Bernard’s Church; board of governors, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), 1988; treasurer, Rural Center for Pennsylvania. 

Professional titles; business ownership; board memberships; local government; club memberships:

Member, Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), Grange, Boy Scouts of America Council at large.

Awards:

The Patrick J. Stapleton, Jr, Library, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), named in his honor, 1981; Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Distinguished Service Award, 1992; Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), President’s Medal of Distinction, 2000; University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School Centennial Award of Merit; Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Decade of Service Award.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Democrat, Indiana County Commissioner, 1962-1969.

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 41th district, Armstrong, Clarion, Indiana, Jefferson Counties Special Election, June 8, 1970, vacancy, death, Albert Pechan, September 11, 1969, seated, June 8, 1970; Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 41th district, Armstrong, Clarion, Indiana and Jefferson Counties, 1971- 1982; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 41th district, Armstrong (Part), Clarion (Part), Clearfield (Part), Indiana (Part) and Jefferson Counties 1983-1992, elected, Minority Policy Committee Chairman, 1983-November 18, 1992; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 41th district, Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson (Part) and Westmoreland (Part) Counties 1993-2000, elected, Majority Policy Committee Chairman November 18, 1992- March 15, 1994, elected, Minority Policy Committee Chairman March 15, 1994-1996, elected, Minority Caucus Administrator, 1997-2000; vice chairman, Legislative Budget and Finance Committee; committee assignments, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Minority Chairman), Appropriations, Environmental Resources and Energy, Rules and Executive Nominations, Transportation; left office November 30, 2000.

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members S". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

The Pennsylvania Manual, (1999-2000). Crowell, G.; Secretary, Department of General Services. (Volume 114) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 3-37, 3-42; Biographies of Members of the Senate, page 3-21.

Patrick J. Stapleton, Jr., Papers, Manuscript Group 158 Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Special Collections and University Archives.

Patrick J Stapleton (1924-2001) - Find a Grave Memorial