Obituary of Ernesto E. Labate

Ernesto Edward Labate passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 29, 2015, one day after his 92nd birthday. He was born and raised in the Bensonhurst area of Brooklyn, NY. He attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Brooklyn, the Ames Electronic Institute in Tucson, AZ, the RCA Institute in New York, and the USAF Electronic School at Chanute Field in IL. He resided in South Plainfield Borough from 1957 until his death. Ernesto was a proud and honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army Air Corps 410th Bomber Group, 645th Bomber Squadron, a reconnaissance squadron fighting in the European Theater of Operations during WWII. He flew five combat missions on an A-20 bomber. He was a research scientist for AT&T Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill for 34 years, retiring in 1987. He is credited with four patents, one notably for semiconductor crystal films. Ernesto was part of a team that was instrumental in the development of the first metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), which is the basic component in electronics today. Ernesto volunteered for many years at the YMCA, teaching self defense, karate, and judo, and entertaining at the Y's annual carnival. In recognition of his service the Business Men's Club of Plainfield awarded him an honorary lifetime membership. In 2000 Ernesto was honored with "Ernesto Labate Day" from the Office of the Mayor of Plainfield, recognizing him as a "world class chess player, helping to train a number of Olympic judo teams, and countless hours of volunteerism, including the Special Olympics." Ernesto began judo and karate lessons at the age of 32; he achieved his first degree black belt at the age of 52. Through fierce competition and contributions to the sport he eventually progressed to 5th Dan, which he earned when he was 69 years old, an outstanding achievement. During his competitive life Ernesto took first place in a national judo competition of over 50 fighters. He was a Sensei at the Cranford Judo and Karate School, and was highly respected and loved by students and staff alike. Ernesto also delved into magic, becoming an amateur magician in his 60s, performing at many children's events. He entertained his family with magic, poetry recitations, and storytelling at all holiday gatherings. As a ranked chess master, Ernesto was a three time recipient of the Westfield Chess Club Olympiad, and was president of the chess club for seven years. He also played chess by mail and most recently via the internet. Whether in chess, judo, archery, oil painting, magic, poetry, prose, weightlifting, body building, gardening, or a sundry of other interests, Ernesto always disciplined himself to master anything that interested him. He was endlessly fascinated with everything around him, and keenly interested in everyone. He led by example and encouraged others to excel. Ernesto and his late wife Carmela were communicants of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. He was predeceased by his adored wife of 58 years, and his two brothers, Anthony and Michael. Surviving are his three children, Donna Burnham and her husband John of South Plainfield, Michael Labate and his wife Catherine of Sausalito, CA, and Jacqueline Labate and her husband Robert Mandatta of Topsham, VT; a sister, Antoinette Sojak of NY; and two brothers, Vincent Labate of California, and Emilio Labate of Florida. He was loved by fourteen adoring grandchildren, eleven precious great-grandchildren, and he was thrilled to know he had another great-grandson on the way. Besides his immediate family, Ernesto is survived by his caregiver and dear friend Kathleen Brown, and numerous nieces and nephews who looked to him for guidance, acceptance, and encouragement. He truly was a man "larger than life." Visitation will be held Sunday July 5, 2015 from 3:00-7:00 PM at the McCriskin-Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080. Following the eulogy at 6:00 PM family and friends are invited to share reflections. Funeral services will begin on Monday July 6 at 11:30AM, followed by a funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church at 12:30 PM. Mausoleum entombment will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to JFK Haven Hospice & Palliative Care, Edison, NJ.