Bouncer dies days after being punched into coma by customer at NYC bar

A 61-year-old bouncer punched out by an angry customer outside a Chelsea bar on Christmas Eve day has died, according to cops and the victim’s family.

Duane Patterson was working at Billymark’s West Bar on Ninth Ave. near W. 29th St. when he got into the fatal clash with a customer inside the bar about 3 a.m. Dec. 24, cops said.

“He was a veteran. In the Air Force,” Patterson’s distraught wife of 26 years Melissa told the Daily News Monday. “Father to our daughter. Funny, polite.”

Patterson followed the customer outside, where the argument continued and Patterson was slugged in the face. He fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement, police said.

Medics rushed Patterson to Bellevue, where doctors determined his skull was fractured and he was brain damaged.

Duane suffered a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for four days,” his daughter Arianna Buchholz wrote on GoFundMe. “The intensive care he received was unfortunately not enough to revive his mind.”

His death has been deemed a homicide, police said. He lived in Inwood.

“Duane is a registered organ donor and we are taking every step possible to make sure others will be able to obtain what he has to give,” his daughter wrote. “He may not be able to continue on this earth but his contribution will ensure that others can . . . My father was such a strong, honorable person and was always quick to make us laugh! We will love you dearly always and forever.”

The attacker, bald and believed to be in his 40s, was wearing a red Champion hoodie sweater, and a black jacket, black pants and black sneakers. Cops released surveillance footage of him Friday and are asking the public’s help identifying him and tracking him down.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.