Gary John Mate

Gary John Mate
Gary John Mate, age 68, a lifelong Fairfield resident, passed away on Tuesday, August 12th, 2025, at Wilton Meadows Convalescent Home after a long battle with illness. Gary was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on July 18th, 1957, and was the son of the late John J. and Jean M. Mate. He graduated from Andrew Warde HS. in Fairfield and attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts studying Aviation Mechanics. Gary had a passion for early motor cars ranging from the early teens to the dawn of the first muscle cars. He also was an avid collector and enthusiast of auto memorabilia signage, collecting original sign pieces from the 1920's era. Not only did Gary collect antique signs but was also passionate about many antique cars that he personally owned from a 1956 Chrysler Imperial to his favorite car, a fully loaded baby blue 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible.
Gary was also the owner of South Main Antique Auto in Newtown, Connecticut, providing repair and restoration services for his customers all over Connecticut, most notably known for a complete concourse restoration of two 1929 Chrysler Cabriolets, a 1933 Duesenberg SJ and a 1953 Cadillac Convertible. Gary was a person who found his happiness with grease under his fingernails and the sound of Fifties music playing in the background over the sound of a loud air compressor. An early riser, it would be regular for Gary to be working at the shop, banging out the damage from a fender at 4:00am in the morning working the project meticulously. He could remember the part number for just about any car made before 1960 but forget where he placed his tools within seconds. Gary and his impeccable restoration abilities will be missed by family, friends and those who he helped along the way.
Survivors include his two brothers, Gerald P. Mate and his wife Carolyn, and Glenn E. Mate Sr., and his nephews and nieces, Glenn E. Mate Jr. and his wife Emily, Geoffrey A. Mate and his wife Amy, Genna Mate, Jacqueline Mate, Olivia Mate, and Christopher Mate, a great nephew, Glenn E. Mate III and great niece Gillian Mate.
All are invited to meet directly in Lawncroft Cemetery, 1740 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM for a graveside interment service. To leave online condolences visit www.abriola.com Arrangements entrusted to Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. To leave an online condolence, visit www.abriola.com