Mr. Abate, 78, of Marlboro and formerly of Colts Neck, died June 15, 2008, at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean conflict, he was president and chairman of the board of the Reece Corp. of Massachusetts before retiring in 1992. Mr. Abate was predeceased by his siblings, Marie Radonisky and Ben Abate. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and Ron Tornberg and Linda and Michael Driscoll, all of Marlboro; and five grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Gabriel’s Main Church in Marlboro, followed by interment at St. Gabriel’s Mausoleum, Marlboro. Arrangements were by the Freeman Funeral Home, Manalapan. Memorial donations may be made to the Marlboro First Aid Squad or CentraState Healthcare Foundation.