HERKIMER - Mr. Joseph P. LaBate, age 99, a longtime resident of Herkimer, NY passed away on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, NY. It is with great sadness that his family announces his passing. He was born in Amsterdam, NY on December 31, 1915 the son of the late Annunziato and Vincenza Maria (Santangelo) LaBate. He attended Amsterdam public schools and also a metal trade school. Joe worked in a sweater factory and also at General Electric in Schenectady before going into the Army. He was drafted into the United States Army in September of 1942. This was World War II. He did his basic training in Camp Robinson, Arkansas, and later was sent to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1943 he went to England with his group which was the 305th Station Hospital. He worked in the laboratory and morgue and saw many casualties from the invasion of France. His military occupation was that of a funeral attendant. Joe returned to the United States in January, 1946 and subsequently was honorably discharged. He was united in marriage to Marguerite Mary Russo on August 11, 1946 in St. Joseph's Church, Dolgeville, with a Nuptial Mass, celebrated by Rev. John Fitzgerald. The couple had shared in 67 years of marriage. Mrs. LaBate died on December 15, 2013. Joe worked in Eastern Footwear and Dalson's in Dolgeville. He later worked in Melrose Shoe Factory as well as Allegro Shoe. Later, Joe worked at Cherry Burrell in Little Falls. He retired from the Library Bureau in Herkimer after twenty years as an assembly line spray operator. Joe was a member of the Tony R. George Post of Herkimer as well as the Crusaders of the Church of Sts. Anthony & Joseph. He attended that church, and was a very active and life-member of the Herkimer Michael S. Pliseck VFW Post #4915. He served as commander and chaplain and he was also chairman of the house committee for many years. He worked at the Thursday dinners and the BBQ, and many Thursday nights at BINGO which he enjoyed visiting with the many people who played. Joe enjoyed going on trips to Wildwood, New Jersey, and Atlantic City in later years. He also enjoyed going to the Turning Stone Casino. He was a longtime member and treasurer of the Herkimer Senior Citizens. Joe was involved with and worked very hard with Harry Enea, Sr. in changing the former Tugar School on the Southside of Herkimer into apartments and the use of the gym for the seniors meeting room which is now the Nathan Castle Apartment Building. Joe was a die-hard New York Yankee fan before televisions when the games were on radio and was a great fan of Joe DiMaggio. He often remembered when the Yankees came to Amsterdam to play and he saw "Joe D" there! He is survived by his children, James E. LaBate and his wife Lois J. of Frankfort, and Joseph J. LaBate and his fiancee Joan DuPont of Little Falls, his sisters, Mary LaBate of Amsterdam and Madeline Van Allen and her husband Robert of Amsterdam, and a sister - in - law, Alexandria "Toot" Near of the Folts Home and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, his sister, Carmella, and brothers Peter, Harry, Samuel, John, Mike, Jacob, and Anthony. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday morning APRIL 16, 2015 at 9:00 AM in the Church of Sts. Anthony & Joseph on South Main Street in Herkimer, NY. Rev. Leo Potvin will be the celebrant. Burial with full military honors will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Dolgeville. Calling hours will be at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 220 North Washington Street in Herkimer on Wednesday APRIL 15, 2015 from 4 until 8 PM. The Herkimer Senior Citizens may pay their respects at 5:30 PM at the funeral home as a group and the Herkimer VFW may gather at 7:00 PM for service. Memorials may be made to Sts. Anthony & Joseph Church in his memory. His funeral arrangements are with Brian A. Roberts, Funeral Director with The Roberts & Enea Family Funeral Home, Dolgeville, NY. (315) 429-3144. To leave an online note of sympathy, please visit www.robertsandenea.com on the Internet. .