Abate, Arnaldo M. "Arnold"

VOORHEESVILLE — Arnaldo M. "Arnold" Abate of Voorheesville passed into the loving embrace of God on June 8, 2021, from his home and surrounded by family. He was just weeks shy of his 52nd wedding anniversary and his 80th birthday.

Arnold was born on July 7, 1941, in Amantea, Cosenza, Calabria, Italy to Michele and Theresa (Vadachino) Abate. He immigrated to the USA in 1959, settling on North Pearl Street with his immediate family, including his father, stepmother Carolina (Esposito) Abate, three brothers and three sisters.

Arnold’s first job in the

U.S. was at the Star Market in Albany. Soon after, he joined the Laborers Union Local 190, and remained a proud union laborer for nearly 40 years. During his career as a laborer and mason tender, he was normally the first to show up on a job site and the last to leave, and of course making fun of his coworkers who thought construction was an eight houra-day job. He also left his imprint all over the region, including having assisted in the building of Colonie Center, Crossgates Mall, Northway Shopping Center, St. Peter’s Hospital, and countless others.

Never one to sit still too long, Arnold’s retirement was short lived and he started to accompany friends to "help out" on masonry jobs until the age of 76. He was instantly recognizable for driving his truck with the lawnmowers in back, stopping by "for a minute" to enjoy a cold beer with his friends at The Black Horse and the North Albany American Legion, and perhaps most notably for his everpresent stogie. In his later years, you always saw him with "man’s best friend" Ricky.

Always quick to rib his friends or to "show you the right way to do something," everyone has a story about Arnie that can make you laugh. He always gave time to help others including volunteering at Sacred Heart Church, as well as helping out just about every neighbor in North Albany and Voorheesville.

Arnold is survived by his loving wife, Emilia (Mannarino); daughter Theresa; sons, Arnold Jr. (Sherrie) and Antonio (April); and four grandchildren, Dominic and Michael Abate, Tyler and Hailee Smith. He is also survived by his siblings, Saverio "Sam" Abate, Dora Eafrato, Edie Mcdonnell (Edward); and brother-in-law Fiore Provenzano; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Michele and Theresa; stepmother Carolina; siblings, Clara Provenzano, Frank Abate (and wife Virginia), and Rocco Abate; brotherin-law Lawrence Eafrato; and sister-in-law Mildred Abate. Arnold was also blessed to have such good friends as John and Leah (jokingly referred to as his "adopted children"), John and Teresa, Jeff and Kathleen, he always enjoyed having a cigar with Mel, and chatting with all of his neighbors, who jokingly came to refer to him as "the mayor of Apple Blossom." Once in the home care of Hospice, Arnold was very appreciative to Leah and