Gary Abate, who passed for 1,357 yards and also rushed for 1,357 yards in his Mustang career, passed away on May 7, 2023, in Stockton, Calif.
Cal Poly Mourns Passings of Quarterbacks Abate and Raabe
5/18/2023 10:39:00 AM | Football
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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Former Cal Poly quarterback Gary Abate, who coached football at Tracy High School, started a custom harvesting business and served as an elementary school principal, died May 7, 2023, in Stockton, Calif., at the age of 76 following a 2 1/2-year battle with ALS.
Born on April 10, 1947, in Stockton, Abate played football at Cal Poly for three years (1966-68), setting the school record for career total offense with 2,714 yards (since broken). He rushed for 1,357 yards and 22 touchdowns and passed for 1,357 yards and eight scores in his Mustang career.
Abate also caught a few passes as a halfback and returned punts and kickoffs. He compiled his best numbers as a senior in 1969, rushing for 783 yards and 12 scores while completing 45 of 90 passes for 639 yards and three touchdowns.
Gary Abate
A graduate of Franklin High School, Abate lettered in four sports and was named to the All-Stockton City High School Football Team. He came to Cal Poly after playing one season of football at San Joaquin Delta College, earning his bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1970 and a master's degree in physical education in 1972.
He began his professional life as a high school math teacher and football coach at Tracy High School. Always looking for new opportunities to grow and learn, Abate decided to embark on a new career as a farmer and started a custom harvesting business, growing asparagus, grains, and alfalfa and harvesting grains for many loyal customers.
Following a 25-year focus on farming, Abate returned to his educational roots through his role as principal of St. Bernard's Catholic Elementary School for 13 years.
Abate is survived by his wife of 50 years, Julie, their three children Gianni (Gretchen) Abate, Dina (Keith) Craw, and Elisa (Kyle) Ciullo, as well as seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Chuck (Laurie) Abate, his sister Zia Georgette Toso, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Bill Raabe
Another former Cal Poly quarterback, William James (Bill) Raabe of Port St Lucie, Florida, passed away on May 6, 2023, at age 81.
Born and raised in Oakland, Calif., Raabe graduated from Oakland High School in 1960 and received a bachelor's degree in business at Cal Poly in 1966. On the football field, Raabe was a backup quarterback to Howard Taylor in 1963 and Fred Richelieu and Bill Ward in 1964, both seasons under head coach Sheldon Harden. He made one start in the 1964 season finale at UC Santa Barbara, a year in which the Mustangs went 0-10.
Raabe served a 35-year career in the military. As a Marine Corps officer, he completed a tour of duty in the Vietnam War and received several honors, including the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V. Raabe then held several positions in the National Guard, including Platoon Commander (LT), Company Commander (CAPT), and Battalion Commander (LTC) before retiring with a federal rank of Colonel, as Massachusetts Army National Guard Deputy Adjutant General.
Raabe also had a 32-year career with Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, where he worked in offices in Fresno, Calif.; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Chicago, Illinois; and Boston, Massachusetts.
Raabe is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice (Hollingshead) Raabe. They raised their family in Duxbury, Mass., and also lived in Plymouth, Mass., for 24 years before moving to Florida. Other survivors include two daughters, Amy Raabe Legere and Ally Raabe Westberg; one brother, Donald Raabe; one sister, Joy Swick; and six grandchildren.
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