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Francis Abate

Francis “Frank” Robert Abate, 73, passed away peacefully at his home in Sharonville, Ohio, on Sept. 18, 2024. Frank was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 10, 1951. His family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where he spent the majority of his youth. He attended St. Ignatius High School, where he began developing a love for photography, sports, and languages.

Frank attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, graduating in 1973 with an Honors B.A. in classical languages and linguistics. He moved on to Ohio State University, where he pursued his Master’s degree and Ph.D in the classics, graduating in 1978.

Upon completing his Ph.D, Frank began his career as an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts. While at UMass, Frank played softball in his free time, which is where he met his wife, Christine. They married in 1981, living in Amherst for the birth of their first child, Alexandra in 1982.

Frank left academia to pursue a position with Laurance “Larry” Urdang of Essex, serving as his managing editor. It was under the mentorship of Larry, that he developed his passion for reference work and lexicography. Frank and his young family relocated to the Connecticut shoreline in 1982, settling into a home in Old Saybrook overlooking the Connecticut River, where his sons were subsequently born.

Frank’s career and experience in reference work and lexicography expanded via positions at Business & Legal Reports, followed by Omnigraphics, Inc., both in Connecticut. He would eventually open his own business, Dictionary & Reference Services, in Old Saybrook in 1992. That office was eventually acquired by Oxford University Press and Frank served as editor-in-chief.

He had a deep and curious love for the English language and how it intersected with history and the way in which its usage could vary. He had a strong knowledge and passion for etymologies and place names. He often observed and questioned uses of slang he would overhear and was excited by differences across generations and cultures. These particular interest areas informed many of the lexicographical projects he pursued.

He authored and edited over 20 reference works and dictionaries during his career, including: The Omni Gazetteer of the United States, Dictionary of Uncommon Words, American Places Dictionary, The Oxford American Dictionary of Current English, and The New Oxford American Dictionary. As a lexicographer, Frank enjoyed traveling to New York City, and abroad to the UK for conferences with colleagues through his work at Omnigraphics and Oxford. He eventually settled back in the midwest, in the Cincinnati suburb of Sharonville, near to his sister and brother-in-law as he entered his retirement years.

Frank was a devoted father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He raised his children to be warm, independent, thoughtful, playful, and creative and was a supportive and encouraging dad. He was always available to provide guidance or advice and talk through a problem or conflict you might be experiencing. He maintained a positive outlook and made the best of the challenges that life brings.

Frank lived with bipolar disorder, a diagnosis he formally received around the age of 50. He struggled tremendously at times with the burden of deep depression and occasional bouts of more energized hypomania. Under psychiatric care, he eventually found medication management that helped him to feel more stable. He was open about discussing and better understanding his illness and assisting others who faced similar issues.

He had a variety of hobbies and interests that brought him great joy, including baseball — which he enjoyed as a fan, player, Little League president, and umpire; photography, history, cooking, road trips, and love of gadgets, with watches, knives, and kitchen items being among his favorites. He had a deep love for rock ‘n’ roll and the blues and had a fondness for classic movies. He enjoyed spirited debates in politics and philosophy and was happy to engage in discussions with almost anyone, and welcomed diverse points of view.

Frank is survived by his three children, Alexandra Abate of Brooklyn, New York, Gregory Abate of Durham, North Carolina, and Philip Abate of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina; and his grandchildren, Liliana and Bodhin, daughter and son of Greg and his wife, Sarah Cassel. He is survived by his former wife, Christine Kelley of Old Saybrook. Frank is also survived by his eldest brother, Salvatore Abate of Worthington, Ohio; Sal’s wife, Gail Abate nee Ruthenberg; and his nephews and niece, Scott Abate, Eric Abate, Katherine Henan, and their families. He is predeceased by his parents, Francis Michael Abate (1922-1985); and Cecilia Abate nee Homic (1918-1990); and his younger sister, Anne K. Abate (March 10, 1958 - March 6, 2024) wife to George S. Maley.

“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” — Julia Child.