Orlando Abate

Orlando Abate

Orlando Abate, 89, Hibbing, died Sat. Dec. 23, 2017 in his home.  He was born March 7, 1928 in Hibbing to Luigi and Lucia Abate.  He served in the Navy during World War II and then returned home to finish high school.  He married Joanne Mattson in 1953 and together they shared 64 years with each other.  He had been a truck driver for Gamble Robinson and for the Sunny Hill Distributing before joining the Hibbing Fire Dept.  He spent 21 years as the chief and then retired in 1992 after 40 years of service.  He was a member of the Loyal Order of Elks, the Moose Lodge and the VFW Post 8510.  He enjoyed cooking for family and friends.  In his youth he was a member of the Golden Gloves and he also loved to bowl and curl.  He was an avid golfer having scored two aces on the same hole during his golfing career.  The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Versich, the Fairview Range Medical Center and North Star Hospice for the special care they gave Orlando.

He is survived by his wife Joanne, children: DeAnn Abate of Side Lake, MN, Orlando Jr. (Patricia) Abate of Side Lake, Kevin (Karen) Abate of Mt. Iron, MN, Mark Abate of Hibbing and Louis Abate of Hibbing, 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and Numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siblings: James Abate, Biondina Baratto, Rose Urbach, Carmella Pascuzzi and Marietta Abate.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  Visitation will be in the church, Thursday, from 10 a.m. until service time.  Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Mid Range Honor Guard.  Memorials are preferred to a charity of your choice.