The family emigrated to the United States when Patrick was still a child.
He attended St. Michael's Parochial School and 35th Street Public School in New York City, and then worked for the American District Telegraph Company.
He returned to New York City in 1885, and began to study law.
In November 1902, he was re-elected to the State Senate, but died a few days before the next term began.
"Suffering from an insidious nervous disease", he went to take the water cure at Clifton Springs, and in August 1902 went to Albany where he died on Christmas Day at the Ten Eyck Hotel.