Obituary of Paul A Abati
Piscataway, NJ – Paul Abati, a lifelong resident of Piscataway, passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, NJ at the age of 92.
Born to the late Lillian and Leo Abati on October 2, 1930, Paul grew up in Cliffside Park, where he graduated from Cliffside Park High School in 1947. Following graduation, he attended Walter Harvey Junior College in New York City, where he received an Associate’s degree in Tax Accounting. He later attended Rider College in Trenton, NJ until his graduation in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Minor in Industrial Relations. In this same year, he married Esther Walker, who later passed away in 1983.
During his summers in college, Paul held various positions, one of which was driving a dump truck building the roadbed for the New Jersey Turnpike between New Brunswick and Hightstown. Paul also served as a volunteer firefighter with the North Stelton Fire Company in Piscataway.
After his education, Paul enlisted in the United States Army, serving during the Korean War, training troops in the United States. Following his honorable discharge in 1960, he was employed with Westinghouse Electric Corporation of Metuchen where he was the Manager of Business Systems. Paul later went to work for Metex Corporation in South Plainfield as Manager of Computer Systems.
Paul made it a point to build on his early community service, as a volunteer fireman, by running for Councilman at Large in Piscataway, which he won in 1972, and again in 1974. He was then appointed as the Township of Piscataway Business Administrator from 1978 to 1987. Paul was later appointed Middlesex County Administrator, a position he held until his retirement in 1992. In 1998, he went back to his hometown and was once again elected Councilman at Large. During his time working as Administrator, Paul also volunteered as an Income Tax Preparer, working at the Piscataway Senior Citizens Center.
Outside of work, Paul held a Captain’s License for his sport fisherman’s boat, “the Mari-Gail” that he sailed out of Lockwood’s Marina at Morgan Creek in South Amboy. He was also a 63-year member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. When he wasn’t sailing, fishing, or working on his model planes, he enjoyed time on the beach and especially time with family.
Predeceased by his parents, Lillian (nee Vastano) and Leo Abati; wife of 31 years, Esther (nee Walker) Abati; sister Ann Moncur, as well as her husband, Bob; and sons-in-law, Bernie Pridy and Danny Maglione, Paul is survived by his wife of 36 years, Marie Murphy Abati; three children, Kathy Pridy, Donald Abati and his wife Gail, Carol Walsh and her husband Edward; and four step-children, Joseph Murphy and his wife Lynda, Susan Raykovich and her husband John, Kathleen Maglione, and Timothy Murphy and his wife Lisa. He will also be missed by his 16 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, along with a host of extended relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held at the Piscataway Funeral Home, 18 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, from 4 PM to 8 PM.
A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, 501 New Market Road, Piscataway, NJ, on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 10:30 AM. Family and friends may gather at the Funeral home beginning at 9:30 AM.
Burial will follow at Bound Brook Cemetery, 500 Mountain Avenue, Bound Brook, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, the Abati family has requested that donations be made to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, in Paul’s name.