[spectre]

Who is patches and how did he get to be a Patches?

I found this for you.

"Now Patrick, known to many as "Patches," is seriously mulling a run after declining once to do so. He got his nickname from famed Boston radio host and newspaper columnist Howie Carr. It comes from a blues tune by Clarence Carter that Carr found particularly appropriate for Patrick and pater familias Teddy:

"But I would remember what my daddy said
With tears in his eyes on his dyin bed.
He said, "Patches, I'm depending on you so
To pull the family through.
My son it's all left up to you.

"

[dfwgator]

Of course for Ted, “Strokin’” was the more appropriate Clarence Carter song.

[maggief]

Who does Patches resemble ... looks-wise?

[PghBaldy]

Patches by Dickie Lee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzyEAC8rOw