Sidney "Mack" Tate
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, BBQ sandwich in one hand, cold beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "Woo Hoo what a ride" !
Mack Tate - 2010
| Visit Guest Book
TATE, Sidney "Mack," 61, of Charlottesville, died Monday, October 25, 2010, at the University of Virginia Medical Center.
Born May 10, 1949 in Charlottesville, he was the son of Augusta Thomas Tate and the late Sidney L. Tate. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Charlotte Louise Tate.
Mack graduated from Albemarle County High School, PVCC and The University of Virginia. Mr. Tate served in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne and worked for the Albemarle County School System for 30 years, retiring as a school administrator.
Survivors include his wife, June Ann Tate; a daughter, Heather Elizabeth Goodman and her husband, Seth, of Richmond; and two grandchildren, Anna Katherine and Elizabeth Nicole. Also surviving is Mack's brother, Terry Michael Tate of Scottsville.
The family thanks Drs. Williams and Zakaib, Drs. Bergin and Kern and their teams.
Funeral services will be Friday, October, 29, 2010, at Hinton Avenue United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Kathleen Sturges officiating . A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. in St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, at Hill & Wood Funeral Home.
The family requests donations in Mack's memory be made to the Charlotte Tate Nursing Scholarship, PVCC Educational Foundation, 501 College Dr., Charlottesville, Va. 22902.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.
Published in Richmond Times-Dispatch from October 27 to October 28, 2010
The Last update on Mack's condition came from Heather on Monday, October 25, 2010
Dad passed away this morning at 8:10am. Last night his blood pressure dropped to unsustainable levels and even 100% oxygen from the ventilator wasn't enough to give his body what it needed. After speaking with his doctors, Mom and I made the decision to turn off life support. He was already unresponsive before this happened, but we explained to him what was going on and passed on all of the messages we had received for him from many of you over the past 24 hours. He was given additional pain medication and a sedative, so he did not feel any pain, and he passed very quickly once the machines were turned off.
Mom and I are working on the arrangements today and once we have things finalized we will let everyone know. The hospital staff has been wonderfully compassionate, giving us as much time as we need and lots of emotional support. They even put a cart outside the room with coffee, tea, and snacks.
Right now Mom and I don't need anything. At this moment there is no need to call and check on us because we have each other for support and we are busy trying to make arrangements and notify everyone. However, there is one request we have of you: we would like to create a collection of memories of Dad. We would like each of you to write down one or two stories you have about Dad, maybe an event that defined your relationship with him, or just a funny story about something crazy he did in the past. Please e-mail them to me and I will compile them for our family, and also make it available to anyone who would like a copy.
Your love and support over these past 23 days has sustained us and made us realize how truly loved Dad really was. Please don't dwell on his death, but celebrate his life. The best way to honor him now is to live your life fully, or as Dad's e-mail signature says:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, BBQ sandwich in one hand, cold beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "Woo Hoo what a ride" !
Aivars Osvalds
My condolences to Mack's family and our AHS '67 family on his passing. Mack and I both started our first grade together at McEntire in Miss Moss' class, 1955, before I went to Red Hill (where I met Elis Clark) before I went to Albemarle (where I met June in orchestra class and Sam Clarke a fellow rock band member!). So you see...though our paths have only crossed occasionally at reunions over the years, he was a friend of 55 years and will be missed so very much. May your memories of Mack sustain you through the difficult days ahead and know that he is in the thoughts of so many of our special AHS class members.
Aivars Osvalds
Teresa Jordan (Jacobsen)
When Mack made a trip down to Richmond to visit Heather, Seth, and the girls, we'd try to get together for dinner. The last time we were able to do that was in May. We met for dinner at Short Pump because he'd heard there was a restaurant that served meatloaf made from buffalo. I thought he was joking. But, it was true. I did not order it when I found out it was really buffalo. He enjoyed every bite and also the key lime pie we split. Afterwards, we walked around looking at the shop windows. It began to drizzle...one of those warm Spring rains...so we sat on a bench under a tree and just talked. How I will miss talking to him!
June and Heather, be comforted in knowing that Mack made such a difference to so many people. He was an honorable and kind man...my dear friend for so many years.
Aubrey Mays
My condolences to June and Heather, Mack and I hve been friend since high school . We hung around each homes and were like brothers. Mack, Sam Hudson[ who passed away last year ] and myself were like the three Muskerteers, we did every thing together from chasing girls to drinking a few beers, well maybe more than a few.
Farewell My Friend
Aubrey Mays
Donnie Walker
I was very sorry to here of Mac's passing.We were freinds in high school and would see each other on occasion at Red Hill School. He will be missed and always rememberd as a great person.
Donnie Walker
Bill Baber
I've been following the regular updates about Mack's condition & keeping him in my prayers, so it was a sad day today when I opened my email to hear of his passing. I know his humor & kindness will be missed by his family & friends. My thoughts and prayers are with them. Mack & I shared several classes together at AHS and we were both student bus drivers. Those were the days! It was good to catch up with him at the "09 reunion and chat about those days and some of our lives since. I remember Mack in our high school days as a thoughtful & kind person. There is nothing I can say to you June & Heather that will ease your sorrow, but find comfort in Mack's signature email as it seems he knew his life here on earth was a fantastic ride.
Bill Baber
Stan Maupin
Mack continues to add to the lives of others. His email signature is being shared all over today, and it is helping people rethink and recommit to enjoying life. Thanks to June and Heather for sharing him with us. We miss him already.
Tommy Manley
Mack was a friend at McIntire Elementary and Albemarle. Mack was always friendly and kind, a nice person who cared about others. My deepest condolences to his family.
Barbara Austin (Morgan)
Mack was the first of us to have a car - this pretty ugly little Hillman (I think) but it got us wherever we needed to go for very little gas (since we all pitched in cents & cents :-)
Mack was always game to go wherever anyone threw out there. The only requisite was that if we were going "off-road" there were enough of us to push, pull or pick it up and move it back to solid ground. We drove on river beds in Nelson; actually who knows what county, I'm too old to remember. We drove everywhere and had the best time. It's just really amazing, in this day and time, knowing our kids and grandkids and their "lives", how easily it was for us to have fun.
Mack, I will miss you, very much but know you are in a place without pain. June, you know where I am if I can help. Heather, you gave him a grandbaby he loved - that's special.
Bobbi
Eddy Mallory
I knew Mack very well in school and service. Best friend at one time. Miss him.