Robert M. Pate

(The following obituary courtesy of Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, Suffield, CT) Services: Funeral Services will take place in New York, originating from, Trainor Funeral Home in Boonville, NY. Calling hours in New York will be held on Friday, November 6, 2009, from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009, 10 a.m. at St. John's Church in Lyons Falls, NY, with Burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation: His family will receive friends on Thursday, November 5, 2009, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, 443 East St. (Rt. 159) Suffield. Robert M. Pate, 88, of Suffield, CT passed away on November 3, 2009, in Hartford, CT from complications of Parkinsonï¿(TM)s Disease. He was born in Croghan, NY and was the son of Maurice Pate and Elizabeth Fairchild Pate of Lyons Falls, NY. He was the retired Supervisor of Physical Education, Health and Athletics for the Hartford Public Schools. Calling hours are planned for Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, 443 East St. (Rt. 159) Suffield, CT. . Mr. Pate served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He received the bachelorï¿(TM)s degree from Springfield College in 1947 and the masterï¿(TM)s degree from Syracuse University in 1957. He served as physical education teacher and coach at Adams (NY) High School from 1947 to 1958 and as Supervisor of Physical Education, Sports and Safety and coach of basketball and track for the Lockport (NY) Public Schools from 1958 to 1965. From 1965 to his retirement in 1982 he served as a school administrator for the Hartford Public schools coordinating the districtï¿(TM)s programs in physical education, health education and athletics. In addition, he held numerous leadership positions with professional organizations. He served as president of the Eastern District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), an organization that he also served as Executive Director after his retirement from the Hartford Public Schools. He served as president of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Mr. Pateï¿(TM)s professional accomplishments were recognized by many groups. He received honor awards from both AAHPERD and the Eastern District of AAHPERD, and he was recognized by Springfield College with its Distinguished Alumnus Award. Mr. Pate was a lifelong lover of sports having been a very talented high school athlete, a varsity basketball player at Springfield College, a coach of many high school sports teams, and an avid sports fan. But he was, above all else, committed to his family, and he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Doris Gould Pate, who passed away in 2004. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Jo Rushlow and her husband, Stephen, of Suffield, CT, and his son Russell R. Pate of Columbia, SC; three grandchildren, Jennifer Kate Rushlow of Boston, MA, Colin Russell Pate and his wife Tina Kreibich of Philadelphia, PA, and Amy Elizabeth Pate of Dallas, TX; a nephew, Tom Spina and his wife Ruth, Chases Lake, NY; and a brother in law, Maynard Peebles of Glenfield, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Robert M. Pate Scholarship Fund, Eastern District AAHPERD, 95 Windward Walk, N. Kingstown, RI 02852. Please visit us at www.carmonfuneralhome.com for online condolences and guest book. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Robert M. Pate Scholarship Fund, Eastern District AAHPERD, 95 Windward Walk, N. Kingstown, RI 02852.