Joseph F. Abate

Branchburg, NJ

Joseph F. Abate, 93, of Branchburg, NJ, passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving children. Born in Harlem, NY, Joe resided in Elizabeth before moving to Branchburg in 1965.

Joe went on to serve our country from 1951-1953 in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was Honorable discharged with the Korean Service Medal and 2 Bronze Service Stars.

He then went on to work for Everest Company in Linden as a Forman for 30 years before retiring in 1993.

Joe enjoyed playing pool, bingo, and taking trips to Costco and the library. During his free time, he enjoyed going to White Oak Park to have hot dog picnics with his friends. He worked the Bingo events at Holy Trinity Church with his best friend, Bill. Every Tuesday morning, he would meet at Holy Trinity Church with the Ladies of Holy Rosary Club.

He had a passion for over 30 years of maintaining and taking care of his tomato garden, which included a variety of vegetables (cucumbers, zucchini, corn), as well as, baking over 100 cheesecakes from scratch.

Most importantly, Joe enjoyed spending quality time with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, Nuniza and Benedetto Abate, his loving wife, Jean Abate (2016), two sisters, Connie Matrone and Millie Gentile, and two brothers, Sam, and Phil Abate.

Surviving are his two loving daughters, Joann and husband Clifford Lutz of Piscataway, NJ; Marie Abate of Altamonte Springs, FL, and a dear son Joseph and wife Lisa Abate of South Plainfield, NJ; a sister, Nancy and husband Robert Santorelli of NYC; five cherished grandchildren, Michelle (husband Gerardo), Amy (husband Robbie), Elizabeth, Melissa, Mary, four adored great grandchildren, Gianna Marie, Luciano Peter, Chase Robert, Emma Jean and many loving nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 4 - 8pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home 910 Rt. 202 South Branchburg, NJ 08876.

A prayer service will begin at the funeral home on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 9:15am. Funeral mass will take place at 10am at Holy Trinity Church in Bridgewater. Entombment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway, NJ.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/ or the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/.