Gilbert Franklin "Tate Gibby" Conn

Age 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 18, 2025, at his Upper St. Clair home, a place where he always wanted to be. He was born August 21, 1938, to the late Lee and Josephine (Tropeck) Conn in Sturgeon, Pennsylvania. After attending West Allegheny Senior High School, he began a 50-year career with Ryan Homes in 1957. As a lead backhoe operator, Gilbert dug footers for Ryan Homes subdivisions throughout the South and West Hills until his retirement in 2007. He was most proud to have excavated the foundation for his own home, where he had happily resided since 1966.

"Tate", as he was known to his great-nieces, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, had a passion for antique tractors and enjoyed attending local farm shows with his family. He was especially fond of his fully restored 1948 John Deere Model A and 1952 Ford 8N, tractors he operated as a youth working on family-run farms in McDonald, PA. Gilbert was also an amateur inventor, designing a frost-cutting bladed backhoe bucket that he successfully patented in 1970. These machines were more than a hobby; they were a reflection of his passion for genuine craftsmanship and nostalgia for simpler times.

The third of ten children, Gilbert is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Lee "Boots" Conn, Margaret (Conn) Argenta, Bill Conn, John "Lefty" Conn, Robert "Toby" Conn, Wanda "DeeDee" (Conn) Scheers, Joann "Putsy" (Conn) Kirby, Ricky Conn, and David Conn.

As most know, Tate was an avid talker who was a stranger to none. Long phone calls were an everyday affair that left the house phone 'off the hook' for hours. If you ever found yourself at the center of a conversation with him, you'd be immersed in amazing stories of years past, gaining advice you didn't know you needed, or hearing about his newest project or creation.

In later years, you could always find Tate tinkering or "fixing" something in his garage. Along with his vast collection of bicycles, he would always make sure every child in the family or friend had a bike with a helmet. Keeping his loved ones safe, at all times, was of paramount importance to Tate.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Elizabeth "Betty" (Schneider) Conn. After Tate's stroke in 2016, Betty dedicated herself to being his sole caretaker. Tate was able to regain a lot of his strength, no doubt in part of her unwavering love and care that she gave to him through his last breath.

Gilbert is also survived by his four children, Tim (Jan) Conn, Vickie (Rick) Buzzelli, Paul (Janet) Conn, and Ed (Sue) Conn. Tate made sure each child understood the value of hard work, teaching them life lessons not just through words, but through his own actions. His presence was always steady rock in their lives.

The lights in Tate's eyes and smile were always the brightest when surrounded by grandchildren and great grandchildren; Brittany (Matt) Gilfillan, Nick (Ashlyn) Buzzelli, Samantha Conn, and Madison Conn, and three great-grandchildren, Conner and Hudson Gilfillan, and Emrie Buzzelli.

Tate leaves behind many nieces and nephews, who he cherished all deeply, including Sharon Fryer, whom he loved like a daughter. She was always there to help and support Betty and Tate, in any way that she could, which created a deep and unbreakable bond between them. Nothing made Tate happier than having the house full of his beloved family, a jaunt to Trader Jack's, riding kids around the yard on a tractor, and a slice of coconut cream or strawberry pie from Eat n' Park.

Gilbert will be remembered most for his kindness and warmth; he always went out of his way to help those in need and put his loved ones first.

Tate's simple yet beautiful life story will be told in the laughter of his grandchildren, by the hum of an old tractor engine, and through the love he exemplified as the patriarch of the family. Though he is no longer physically with us, his memory will forever be woven into the fabric of the family he adored.

His family would like to thank the nurses and therapists of Concordia South Hills for their compassionate care towards the end of his life.

Friends and family will be received on Thursday, August 21, at Beinhauer-Fryer Funeral Home in Bridgeville (2-4 and 6-8 p.m.). A funeral service will be held Friday, August 22, at 11 a.m. Interment to follow in Melrose Cemetery. The family suggests donations to the Children's Heart Foundation (https://www.childrensheartfoundation.org/).