ABATE Joseph J. Abate Sr., age 88, beloved husband of Helen K. Syska Abate, of Benz Street, in Ansonia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 24, 2005 at the West Haven V.A. Medical Center. Mr. Abate was born in Ansonia on March 20, 1917, son of the late Louis and Grace Nicoletti Abate. A resident of Ansonia for most of his life, he had worked as a machinist at the Farrel Corporation in Ansonia for more than 35 years until his retirement in 1977. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from 1935-1939. He is a communicant of the Holy Rosary Church and a member of its Catholic Men's Club and Knights of Columbus attaining the rank of 4th Degree. He was also a member of the V.F.W. in Ansonia where he served as Chaplain and Past Commander, Farrel Old Timers Club, and a founding member of the Hilltop Hose Co. #5 in Ansonia. Besides his wife Helen, he is survived by five sons, Joseph J. Abate Jr. and his wife, Sharon, of Oxford, Paul T. Abate and his wife, Teresina, Ronald D. Abate and his wife, Colleen, and Mark A. Abate and his wife, Cynthia, all of Florida, and Ralph M. Abate of Texas; two daughters, Joyce A. Harris of Ansonia, and Phyllis G. Proch and her husband, John of Seymour; a sister, Susan Caserta of Ansonia; 17 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son Louis J. Abate, and brothers, Samuel, William, and Michael Abate. His funeral with full military honors will be held on Friday July 29, 2005 at 9 a.m. (DIRECTLY) at the Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia for a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Peter's Cemetery in Derby. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Spinelli-Malerba-Ricciuti Funeral Home, 62 Beaver Street, in Ansonia. Contributions may be made to the Holy Rosary Church Renovation Fund in care of the funeral home.

Obituary, Connecticut Post, July 27, 2005.