OBITUARY
Joseph A. Abate Jr.
December 23, 1937 – August 9, 2012
Joseph A. Abate Jr., age 74, husband of Marie Tine Abate since 1959, passed away on August 9th after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer at home in Farmington, surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born December 23rd, 1937 in New Britain to the late Joseph and Giovina (Tomasso) Abate. He attended Brown University, Central Connecticut State University, and in 1976 he graduated from the PMD program at Harvard University. Furthering his passion in music, Joe received a certificate of completion from the Berklee College of Music. Mr. Abate was employed by Tilcon Tomasso Inc. retiring in 2003 after a successful career as the President and CEO. He was a parishioner of the Church of St. Patrick in Farmington, as well as active in The Boys and Girls Club of New Britain, The Tunxis Plantation Country Club Men’s League, Trustee of Saint Patrick’s Church, and was inducted into the Knights of Saint Gregory, the highest station a layperson can hold in the Catholic Church. Joe was an outstanding athlete, receiving many awards and honors, and was an enthusiastic sports fan, with a love for the New York Giants and the New York Yankees. He enjoyed golfing and was an avid guitar player with a deep passion for music which he fulfilled by being a member of Suite Roc and First Class. He will be most remembered for his unselfish dedication to multiple youth sports programs with financial donations, time, and resources. Joe was known for putting others first, and will live on through the countless people’s lives that he touched.
Joe was a devoted family man, always caring for and spending time with his numerous relatives. In addition to his wife Marie, who he adored, Joe is survived and will be dearly missed by his son Dr. Joseph A. Abate III and his wife Joanne of South Burlington, VT, his daughters Lynne Gagliardi and her husband Thomas of Southington, Joanne Couceiro and her husband Alfredo of Newington, and Kristen Daigle and her husband Eric of Southington. Joe will also live on through his numerous grandchildren; Joseph, Michael and Tyler Abate, Danielle and TJ Gagliardi, Ashley and Ryan Dibble, and Matthew, Erica and Brooke Daigle. Joe will also be remembered and missed by his sister-in-laws Mildred Sullivan and Elizabeth Tine, many nieces and nephews, and his dearly loved cousins Angelo and Joy Tomasso, Dr. Edward and Lucy Scheer, Michael and Linda Tomasso, Nancy Tomasso, Paul Tomasso, Jimmy Tomasso, Billy Tomasso and Carol and Carl Ficks. Joe is best known for being with his family, and he was the foundation to the strong family that lives on in his name.
Joe will be joining his brother Carmine Abate and his sister Lucia Houlihan in his new life beyond the one he shared with us.
Joseph’s family would like to give a special thanks to Nurses Milissa Collins, Mary Ellen Gaul and Darla Vaughns and his caretakers Jonas Agyekum and Nana Mensah, for all of the help and care that they provided Joe and his loved ones during his final days.
Joseph’s Funeral Services will begin Monday, August 13th at 10:30am at the Church of Saint Patrick, Farmington. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Visitation hours will be Sunday, August 12th from 4-8pm at the New Britain Memorial Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain. In lieu of flowers, Joseph’s family asks that Memorial donations be made in his memory to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 New York Ave, New York, NY 10065 or the Joseph Abate Memorial Fund at the Church of Saint Patrick, 110 Main Street, Farmington, CT 06032. For directions or to express an online message, please visit www.newbritainsagarino.com.
Services
- Visitation hours Sunday, August 12, 2012
- Funeral Liturgy Monday, August 13, 2012
REMEMBERING
Joseph A. Abate Jr.
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RECEIVE UPDATESJoseph LaRiviere (Rivers)
February 16, 2013
Joe was a good friend and a favorite customer at Rivers Music on Farmington Ave in Bristol. I loved Joe and his musical abilities. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. Joe Rivers currently living in Nokomis, FL
February 1, 2013
I looked up to you everyday of my life and now I will miss you everyday of my life. Joe DonAroma (New Britain CT.)
Claude Berardi
September 9, 2012
Dear Marie and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Joe DonAroma just called me with the news. I live in Florida with my wife now. We all spent many nights playing music with Draper and Joey D. and had such great times. You and your family were always so good to all of us at a ton of rehearsals at your house. I was blessed in knowing you and Joe and your wonderful family. Claudio Berardi, drummer with Suite Roc
Sharon Ryan
August 18, 2012
My deepest condolences to you and your family Joey. I fondly remember hearing Joe's band while I was in high school. He was a a talented musician, as well as a strong role model for his children. I am sorry for your loss.
myrna johnson johnson
August 18, 2012
myrna johnson former employee of tilcon tomasso in cncrete
August 13, 2012
Dear Marie and Family,
So sorry to read about the loss of your husband. I did not know him but it sounds like he was awonderful person. I am sure he is with the Lord up there.You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, Nancy Soucy Doyle Plainville Weaver class of 1957
August 13, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss. May your family take refuge and find strength with God who is readily to be found. Psalms 46:1
Bonnie Eaton
August 13, 2012
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the Abate family at this sad time for your your loss. Just to know Joe Abate was a pleasure his warm smile & humble spirit will always be remembered by me & all who knew him. He will be truly missed but never forgotten. I want to say to the family God makes no mistakes & just hold close to eachother & he will give you the strength to press thru although it's difficult to accept God is in control. Just know Marie your husband is at peace now with heavenly Angels smiling down upon you & his family much love to all & i will keep you all close in my prayers.
Respectfully,
B. Eaton
August 12, 2012
Marie and Family. You are all special to me. My deepest sympathy. May God comfort you all. Joe will be sorely missed. God has a new guitar player....... Love, Bob & Bernice Yuskis, Waddell, Arizona
Robert Serio
August 12, 2012
Joe I will miss you deeply. I will always treasure our talks in the kitchen eating some of Marie's wonderful Italian cooking. You always made me feel like family.
as they say. in Italian " Non dimentichero", I won't forget.
August 12, 2012
To Marie and Family: Please accept my deepest sympathy to you and your for the loss of your husband. It's always sad to lose a love one it's like a link is gone from chain of love but if we believe we will see them again, May God bless you and your family ease the pain of sorrow.
Arlene (McClinton) Arnold
Committe member of "Weaver High - Clas of 57"
LeslieEllen
August 12, 2012
Dearest Marie, I can't tell you how sorry I am for your loss.I know you have an amazing support system and that they will surround you with love in this awful time of grieving. My heart goes out to you all....
Pete Peterson
August 12, 2012
Marie, Jane and I are so sorry for your loss. Joe was special and his passing will leave an empty space in the hearts of all who knew him. I know I will think of him every time I set foot on or drive by the course.
NICHOLAS M CIANCI JR
August 12, 2012
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE ENTIRE ABATE FAMILY. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL AND I WILL KEEP JOE IN MY PRAYERS.
NICHOLAS M. CIANCI, JR
THE CIANCI CONST. CO.
Rick Brown
August 12, 2012
Eric, Kristen, Matthew, Brooke, and Erica please accept my deepest condolences and know that I am uplifting you in thought and prayer. Love you all..
Marie Laviero
August 12, 2012
In honor of Joe, we send our deepest sympathy to you Marie and your loving family. Joe meant so much to Frank and our family. He will always be in our hearts. Love, The Frank E. Laviero Family
Draper, Julia, Alexis Mathis
August 11, 2012
We thank God for having known Joe for so many years. We loved him as (Uncle Joe) from the Kimble family and for the privilege of playing with him in Sam's band and especially Suite Roc. His light will always be with us and his love is a reminder of how we all should be to one another. God bless you.
Scott and Maureen Barmore
August 11, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Taffie &Henry Bentley
August 11, 2012
We were so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was a good and gentle friend for more then 50 years.
We will miss him.
Taffie and Henry Bentley
Bristol Ct.
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Wright
August 11, 2012
Joe was a great man. I learned my work ethic and love for life from him. He always had a kind word and a smile on his face for everyone. Going to miss him immensely. Our condolences to his family.
Karen Romano Sztaba
August 11, 2012
Dear Joanne (Couceiro) and family: Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your father. He was a prince of a man and talented musician. His wonderful attributes will never be forgotten by all that knew him. Keeping you and your family close in prayers. Fondly (Karen from gym)
Giulio (JR) and Lisa Vallera
August 11, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Abate family. May God keep you all close and comfort you. Joe was a great man and truly thought of others. We were very blessed to have known him.
August 11, 2012
Im so sorry to hear of your loss. Look to the bible for comfort during is difficult time. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you. James 4:8
Joseph Dwyer
August 11, 2012
With deepest sympathy to your entire family.The name Joe Abate was always held in high esteem in our home. My late Dad worked for the Tomasso Family provideing a wonderful life>
Mark Murzin
August 11, 2012
Marie, Joey and Family,
My sincerest condolences to all of you. Joe was such a special person. There are not many that come along like him. A caring and charitable gentleman, who truly loved and cared for his family, who put others ahead of himself. Joe has passed on way too soon, and I am sure he will root for his Yankees and Giants from above. Please cherish all of the wonderful memories.
CLIFFORD COTE
August 11, 2012
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES AND SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE ABATE FAMILY. JOE WILL BE TRULY MISSED. HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST BOSSES TO EVER WORK FOR. ALWAYS A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND GRATITUDE WAS ALWAYS INCLUDED IN HIS CONVERSATION WITH YOU.JOE WAS THE MAN WHO HIRED ME IN 1972 AND 38 YEARS LATER I CAN SAY, THANK YOU JOE FOR EVERYTHING! YOU WERE A GENTLEMAN AND STANDUP GUY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY THE WINGS OF ANGELS TAKE YOU TO HEAVENS GATES. I WILL MISS YOU. CLIFF AND KAREN COTE
August 11, 2012
Dear Abate Family..I have fond memories of Joe while I worked at Tunxix Plantation..when he came in he always had a big smile and kind, or funny, word to say.. May he rest in peace. My sympathies and prayers to his family and loved ones.
Susan (King) Anderson
Sue and Sal Gaioni
August 11, 2012
Marie and Family, we are so sorry to see Joe's passing, he fought the good fight.
He didn't deserve to pass like this, he was such a wonderful person, and will be missed by all. Your memories of him will carry you through these difficult times.
Bill Candelori
August 11, 2012
The recipe to having friends is to be one....and Joe was a friend to everone! He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. My condolences to his family and friends.
Brian & Sue Skehan
August 11, 2012
Joanne & Al,
Sincere condolences,
to you and your family.
Bernie Sullivan
August 11, 2012
Marie and Family,please accept my sympathy on Joes Passing.He will be missed by many.
August 11, 2012
Extending our heartfelt condolences on your loss of a wonderful person,husband & father.
Tina Spagna Czaczkes & Patricia Spagna Darling
Judy Devokaitis
August 11, 2012
I write to share my sympathy on the loss of Mr. Abate. Hatton School cherished his children---my husband, Andy, loved teaching the now Dr. Joe Abate.
I also had the honor to teach Dr. Scheer and Lucia's son Ed in the Berlin School System.
May your entire family cherish fond memories of your dearly departed.
Fondly
Judy Devokaitis
James Throwe
August 11, 2012
I was sorry to to read of Joe Abbate's death.He was a stalwart witness for me for over ten years for Tilcon as we successfully prevented an illegal quarry from being operated in Plainville. I valued his friendship and skills uring that period but am sorry I lost touch with him. Condolences to his family.
Jim Throwe
Paul Belfiore
August 11, 2012
Joe was the best of the best. A true gentlemen who always put others before himself. I will miss our time spent on the golf course and the laughs only golfers can share. Rest in peace my friend.
Jamie Collazo
August 11, 2012
I am deeply saddened to hear of Joe's passing. He was like a second father to me and I owe so much of who I am today to him. He really did put others first and he was one of the most generous people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
I'd like to think that as a musician, my father gave me the gift of music but Joe was the caretaker, nurturing it and always cheering me on. I can't begin to explain how generous he was in helping me with my musical upbringing and I owe much of my career as a musician to him.
Joe will be missed and he will live on in every note I play.
August 10, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of you loss. Draw close to God during this difficult time, and he will draw close to you. James 4:8