Dominick A. Abate Sr.

ABATE, Dominick A. Sr. Dominick A. "Zugo" Abate, Sr. 82, of Wethersfield, formerly of Hartford, passed away on Wednesday, (September 13, 2006) after a long illness. He was born September 14, 1923 in Hartford and was the son of the late Rafael and Mary (Saccoco) Abate. He attended Barnard Brown School and Hartford Public High School. A veteran of the US Navy, he was stationed at the Brooklyn Naval Yard and worked on the damaged aircraft carrier USS FRANKLIN, during World War II. He was employed for many years at the Veeder-Root Manufacturing Co, the D.H.R. Construction Co., Smith and Fazzina Meat Packing Co. and after retiring he worked for the Hartford Courant. Growing up as a boy in the north end of Hartford, he helped his father and brothers with the family pigeon coop, wine making and the constant chore of chopping wood for the stove. He excelled as an amateur boxer and as a hard throwing southpaw pitcher in the Industrial League and the Twilight Baseball leagues of Hartford. He continued his love of baseball playing in several Fast Pitch Softball Leagues throughout the area, pitching into his 60's. Later, Bocci, Horseshoes and Duck Pin bowling became the focus of his competitive spirit. He also served as a volunteer coach for the Hartford Parks and Recreation Department and the Jaycee Courant Junior and Senior Baseball Leagues. He found immense love and joy in his family and in the simple pleasures of life; good friends, singing, music, food, Roger Staubach, cooking, card playing and especially laughter. We are very proud of the many life lessons taught to us by our father. Through his words and actions, he showed us the meaning of "family". He has now joined his best friend and wife, of 59 years, our mother, Loretta (McNeil) Abate in Heaven. The Abate family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Riverside Health and Rehab Facility of East Hartford and the staff at the Hartford Hospital Intensive Care Unit for the professional and compassionate care given to our father. He is survived by his children, June Cook of Tolland, Bobby Abate and his wife, Lisa of Rocky Hill and John Abate and his wife, Ceil of South Windsor. He was predeceased by a son, Dominick and a grandson, Jason and is survived by 10 grandchildren, Becky, Tommy, Sarah, Dominick, Tara, Darci, Bobby, Brie, Jesse and Evan, 5 great grandchildren,Jason, Kayla, Alexis, Anthony and Dominick, a brother, Ralph Abate and his wife, Mary of Tucson, Arizona, a daughter-in-law, Joanne (Santoro) Abate of Hartford and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son-in-law, Douglas Cook, a brother, Joseph Abate, sisters, Mary Cusano, Elizabeth Rossano and Teresa Quinton. Funeral service will be Monday at 9 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church, Main Street, Hartford. The burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford with full military honors. Calling hours are Sunday (Sept. 17) from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Dominick's name may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. For on line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com