Douglas Michael D'Abate

Douglas Michael D’Abate, 61, of Auburn Township, peacefully entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 28 after a 3-month battle with chondrosarcoma. He was surrounded by his loving family. Doug was a family man, through and through. He had a bright smile, magnetic personality, quick wit, and a tender heart. He never met a stranger and was a valued friend to many.

Doug was born on April 1, 1963, in Painesville, Ohio to Joanne and Lawrence D’Abate. The middle of seven children, he grew up next door to his parent’s grocery store in Madison, Ohio. Doug embraced his family’s Italian heritage and characterized his childhood as idyllic. After graduating from Madison High School in 1981, Doug enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served in Panama, Central America. 

Doug then began his career as a meat cutter working for his father’s grocery store, D’Abate’s Market in Leroy, Ohio. He would hone his craft as a meat cutter over nearly twenty years, at Heinen’s stores in Cleveland and SuperFresh markets in Delaware before taking a position as a Traffic Controller for AeroMag’s deicing solutions at Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Doug would return to his passion for meat cutting as the meat manager for Mazullo’s market in Bainbridge in 2013. Doug ended his career at Reliable Contracting, working in both the Theater and Home Contracting divisions.

Doug was predeceased by his father, Lawrence; and father-in-law, Joseph Pidcock. 

Doug is survived by the love of his life, Nealie Pidcock D’Abate; three precious children, Hilary Barnett of Denver, Colorado, Christine D’Abate, and Von (Ellen) Houk all of Lyndhurst; and Christine’s three adoring children, Isabel, Leo, and Enzo who brought Doug much joy as a Papa. He is also survived by his devoted mother, Joanne D’Abate of Plain City, Ohio; six cherished siblings, Donna Schultz of Austin, Texas, Tony (Barb) D’Abate of Mentor, Diane (Mark) Casey of West Rotonda, Florida, Danny (Lisa) D’Abate and Daryl D’Abate, all of Madison, Denise (Dan) Harless of Plain City; his mother-in-law, Karen Pidcock, sisters-in-law, Dee Dee (David) Loge, and Elizabeth Jones, all of Nelsonville, Ohio. Doug was a fun-loving and silly uncle to many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Doug loved serving his family and friends with his delicious cooking and generous hospitality. He treasured attending and serving alongside his brothers and sisters in Christ at Riverview Church in Novelty. He was a member of several ministries including the Welcome, Maintenance, and Men’s Breakfast teams, and he also hosted a weekly home group with his wife, Nealie.

Family and friends may call on Monday, August 5 from 3 – 7 PM at Riverview Church, 13968 Chillicothe Road, Novelty. Services will be held Tuesday, August 6 at 11 AM, also at Riverview Church, officiated by Pastor and dear friend, David Fry. Burial will be at Riverview Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may view via live stream at https://bit.ly/DouglasDAbate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Rescue Village, where Doug volunteered for many years and where he first bonded with the family’s much loved boxer, Duke. Tribute donations may be made at rescuevillage.org.