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Cornelius T. "Connie" Abate

FUNERAL HOME

Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly

59 Spruce Street

Westerly, Rhode Island

Cornelius Abate Obituary

Cornelius T. "Connie" Abate, 84, of David Avenue, Westerly, passed away at The Westerly Hospital on Sunday, January 28, 2018. He was the husband of the late Carol (Falcone) Abate.
Born in Stonington, he was the son of the late Joseph, Sr. and Rose Abate.
Connie was the owner and operator of Main St. Gulf for many years. He previously served as town Sgt. for 20 years and was a member of the Police Reserves for 47 years. A communicant of St. Clare Church where he was a longtime usher, Connie will be remembered as a dedicated and passionate man who loved spending time with his family and serving the town he loved.
He is survived by his son Stephen Abate and wife Carol of Waterford, CT; and two daughters, Patricia Abate of Brooklyn, NY and Debra Rofrano and partner Tim Bedard of Westerly. He also leaves a brother Edward "Bootie" Abate of Bradford; stepsister Patricia Morrone of Westerly; two grandchildren, Nicole Bruno and husband Mike and Danyle Abate and fiancé Clayton Boegler; and one great granddaughter Olivia Boegler. He was predeceased by a brother Joseph Abate.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4-7pm at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clare Church, 62 Crandall Ave., Westerly on Thursday at 10 a.m. There is no procession to church from the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Westerly Sun from Jan. 30 to Mar. 1, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Cornelius Abate

32 Entries

Ann R

February 28, 2018

You will see Cornelius again.

February 28, 2018

My sincere condolences to the family may you find comfort in the God of all comfort during this difficult time.

February 26, 2018

My sincere condolences. May our heavenly Father, the God of all comfort sustain you at this time of such great loss 2Thessalonians 2:16, 17.

February 25, 2018

I am so sorry for your great loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" (Isaiah 61:1, 2) sustain your family during this challenging time. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.

February 23, 2018

Heartfelt condolences are extended to your family at this difficult time. Seek the love and support God provides to help you cope during this time - Psalms 29:11

February 21, 2018

My deepest sympathy for the loss of your dearest loved one. May the God of comfort and peace bring you just that in your time of need.

February 17, 2018

Please accept my deepest condolences for the death of your beloved family member. May the good memories that you shared bring your hearts comfort.

February 17, 2018

Dear Debbie. i am sorry for your dads passing...
i truly loved your dad and will miss his presence at the Mount Carmel Professions in the future..His beautiful spirit will be in my heart when we march this year coming and all that follow..gone but not forgotten..RIP Connie..your friend..jim van.

Kevin Kelliher

February 11, 2018

Patty and the Abate family,

As a young boy growing up in the Pawcatuck/Westerly area, I remember Connie as a great man and father figure. Growing into adulthood, I looked at him as a man who's guidance and inspiration would foster and develop a person to become a viable entity in the community.

Moreover, serving with Connie in the Westerly Police Reserves was an honor with memories that will guide me for a lifetime. Whether at the beach or around town, as a kid following the directions of the police/police reserves, then becoming one of them, is "life going around full circle". From listening and seeking their guidance to becoming an active participant in the enforcement, safety and protection of our community is "the circle of life" . . . meaning what we've learned we must pass it forward to the next generations as Connie did with us.

As a retired veteran, Connie epitomised "Duty, Honor and Selfless Service". His loss may a great but it will be even greater if we don't "pay it forward" and pass on what we're learned to those upcoming generations.

Please accept my deepest and most heartfelt condolences.

With a heavy heart . . . thoughts and prayers,

Kevin Kelliher

February 6, 2018

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Bob & Marge Gentile

February 4, 2018

Shocked to hear of Connie passing on. Was a great friend that we will miss. We will forever remember him and his beautiful family in our daily prayers.

John Federico, M.D.

February 3, 2018

I was very saddened upon learning of Connie's passing. He was a treasured friend of the James Federico Family. I always enjoyed the memorable discussions we had whenever I ran into him. My sincerest condolences to the Abate Family.

daniel bell

February 2, 2018

It was with profound sorrow to learn of Connies passing. He was a good man, loved and respected by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. May God bless and keep the Abate family during this difficult time and always. Respectfully, Danny Bell

Nancy & Larry Scott

February 2, 2018

This is one man that will surely be missed by many. He was one of kind. My memories are the back at the cable offices and him bringing Debbie her lunch everyday. Stopping traffic to let us go thru or just to say Hi. I hope the family finds peace and just hugs each daily. Love to all of you.

Carolyn Longolucco

February 1, 2018

Seeing Connie as an usher in St. Clare Church, waving as he monitored a detail as a reserve policeman, and watching him as the Town Sergeant at Town Council meetings was my connection to Connie. What a pleasant nice man, and the previous comments in this book attest to what a great guy he was. May he rest now in the peace of Christ. Our town will miss Connie.

Jim Risica

February 1, 2018

Debbie, Patty and family,
I'm very sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Although I didn't know him personally, I do know he was an exceptional man and clearly a great father to you.
I have heard nothing but wonderful things spoken of him, he was a giant in this community and will be sorely missed.
You and your family are in my prayers.

PAUL CORNELIUS

February 1, 2018

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. FROM THE OFFICERS AND MEMDERS OF THE F.O.P.A. LODGE 10

John Alden

February 1, 2018

Dear Abate Family,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I celebrate Connie's friendship and the wisdom he passed on to me about life, people in general and the Town he so deeply loved. In many ways he signified all that was good and decent through his warm smile, kind words, and his unique ability to speak the truth, regardless of the audience and the venue. He was the definition of a true, honest-to-goodness straight shooter. We met while I was in my early 20's during the early 1990's while serving in the Police Reserves in the early 1990's. As my life's journey took me around the world, I would always come home to stories from family and friends telling me that Connie was checking up on me and saying "hello." i would always smile. I pray one day he and I will meet again and share a sandwich (I still pronounce the word in his honor..."sangwich"..my brother Joe will then smile and laugh. Usually we say "Connie!" and laugh about our mutual respect for a man who lived life to the fullest.
Very sincerely and respectfully,

January 31, 2018

I am deeply sorry for the loss of Cornelius. May God's loving kindness bring peace and comfort during this sad and difficult time. Psalms 29:11

Joann Baker

January 31, 2018

Debbie,
I am so sorry!! Your Dad was such a good man. You both loved the beach and spending time together. He will be alive in your heart forever. So many precious memories.
Take Care
Love

Don Allen

January 31, 2018

Bootie and the Abate family .
So sorry for your loss .Connie was one of
the nicest man you could ever meet.
May be rest in peace.

Barbara Hurtado Gent

January 31, 2018

To the Abate Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.

January 31, 2018

Abate Family,

A man you could be proud of, Connie was a Captain in the Westerly Police Reserves for many years. Many of his details was keeping the peace in the local bars in town as well as the beach area. He was able to calm many altercation down before they got of of hand
with his quick wit and mild manner. I was proud to have know him and work alongside of him. He put in many hours working for the town of Westerly ending his career aa the Town Sergeant for the Town Council.
Where we are now Connie was. Where Connie is now we shall be. Connie was a "Warrior"

Lt. Ret. Byron Brown WPD

Walter Sheldon jr.

January 31, 2018

To the Abate Family,
Sorry to hear of the passing off Connie! Remembered him from the old days in uniform and at his business! A soft spoken true gentleman who had time for all! May he Rest inPeace!

January 31, 2018

Deb and family,
I am so sorry for your loss, Connie was a great guy. My thoughts are with you and your family. Carole Drong

Michael Dipollino

January 31, 2018

One of the most kindest and gentlest man I ever met, I am so proud to have called him friend. May God have Mercy on his Soul and may he rest in the Peace of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Prayers for his Soul and for his family at this trying time, "RIP" Connie you will be remembered for all the good that you did in your life.

Joe & Angie Iacoi

January 30, 2018

To The Entire Abate Family
Our sympathy on learning the passing of a good Westerly buddy while we are in Arizona today
Many enjoyable times and chats over the days about the good of our town -Westerly - with Connie
May HE Rest In Peace with Our Lord forever.

Barbara Rofrano

January 30, 2018

To the Abate family, my prayers are with you all.

Patti & Al Morrone

January 30, 2018

Steve, Patti, Debbie and families,

I'm so sorry to hear of my stepbrothers passing. I saw him at the Senior Center the week of Jan. 12th before we left for Florida. We had a nice chat. Let happy memories of your times together bring you peace during this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,

David Crandall Jr

January 30, 2018

My condolences to the Abate family

[email protected]

January 30, 2018

So Long Connie, You wee always fast with a Smile and a Hello. I'll always remember You from the Days of "Real Gas Stations" Not Grocery Stores like they are now.
Bob Rose
Stonington

Althea Algier Chase

January 30, 2018

Dear Abate Family,
I remember Connie fondly. I lived next door to the garage on Main St and he was the kindest man. Helped us out whenever we had car issues. When it rained and Main St flooded he would get the big tire tubes out and we would sit in them and bob up and down the street. He was awesome! I hope memories will help you through at this time. God Bless!

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