Thomas J. LaBate

Thomas J. LaBate, age 78, passed away peacefully at home, on January 1, 2025. Tom was a 1964 graduate of Hamilton High School West Trenton, NJ and attended Penn State University before moving to New York State where Tom worked 37 years at Borg Warner Automative and retired as a supervisor in 2008. Tom even met the love of his life, Sally, at Borg Warner and were together for 48 years. Tom enjoyed, over the years, playing slow pitch softball, golfing, bowling, umpiring softball games, camping with family and friends at Spruce Row campsite and most of all, spending time at the Jersey shore with family. Tom and Sally eventually became snowbirds and would spend the majority of the colder months in a beautiful condominium in St. Augustine, Florida. Tom loved watching all sorts of sports on TV but had a passion for watching his favorite football team – the Philadelphia Eagles. Tom even had his basement converted into a Philadelphia Eagles Man Cave and for years his grandson, Brett Spencer would both dress up in their favorite Philadelphia Eagles players clothing and watch the game together with a passion like no other. Tom is predeceased by his Parents, Vincent James LaBate and Marguerite Jane (Elliott) LaBate and his daughter, Joanna Marie LaBate Mollis and his in-laws, Joseph F. and Margaret Longo. Tom survived by his wife, Sally LaBate (Longo) and his children, Shane and Julie Spencer, Aaron Thomas LaBate and Chad LaBate. Brother, Robert Earl LaBate (Joseph Stern) and sister, Jane Ann LaBate. Brother in-laws, Joseph Longo (Jackie), Mark Longo (Angelia) and Robert Longo (Denise) Grandchildren, Amber Marie Spencer, Brett Joseph Spencer (Rachel) and Annie LaBate Nephews, Patrick Ryan Morris (Sherwette Salaheen), Evan James Morris, Aunt Joyce Elliott and several Nephews. Funeral Services will be held on January 18, 2025 from 10am-12pm at the Herson-Wagner Funeral home at 110 South Geneva Street, Ithaca, NY14850