MATE, Joseph – 1925 – 2023 Passed away at the Welland Hospital, on Tuesday, March 14th, 2023, at 97 years of age. Born in Hungary on April 4, 1925 in the small northern village of Hidvegardo, Joe was the third son of Stephen and Mary (Holo) Mate. Joe had two older siblings Steve 1920 and Jim 1923 with whom he spent his childhood, first in Hungary and in the years that followed in Canada. Joe’s sister Helen and kid brother Leslie were born when the family later settled in Welland. Joe’s father emigrated to Canada without the family to find work at Foster Wheeler and in 1929 he moved his family to Canada.

Joe said that their first home was at 18 Vine Street in St. Catharines. The rent was $15 a month. It was here at the age of 5 that Joe first discovered his love of golf. He and his childhood friend would watch golfers from the bushes at the St. Catharines Golf Club. Joe said they would wait for a ball to land in the sand trap of the #8 par three and they would run out and steal the ball and run like hell. A year later in 1930 the family moved to Welland. Joe said they moved to save $5 a month on rent. Here the family welcomed Joe’s sister, Helen (nee: Spinosa) and Joe’s kid brother Leslie in 1933. The Mate’s bought their first home in 1933 at 98 Park Street for $1000 as Joe recalled.

Joe began caddying at Lookout Point as a teenager, hitchhiking there every day to make 15 cents a round. He bought his first set of clubs for 75 cents and had to split the cost with two of his friends. Joe said he later paid them off 25 cents each when he got his first job.

Joe enlisted in the service at age 19 and was discharged at the end of WWII in 1946. Returning to Welland Joe married his wife Lois, joined Lookout Point and began his 35year career in sales with what was later the General Tire and Rubber Company.

Joe’s many stories about his friends at work, his love of golf and his friends at Lookout along with stories of his brothers and sister were told by him as if they had just happened. His memory of his friend’s names and events throughout his life was simply uncanny.

He is now reunited with his beloved wife, Lois. Joe will be missed by his nephews Jim (Barb) Mate, Doug (Nancy) Mate, nieces Cindy Spinosa (Marty) and Chery Spinosa. Joe spoke often of his great nephews Tyler and Cameron, sons of Jim and Barb and great nephews Dustin and Brad Mate, sons of Doug and Nancy.

Jim and Barb, Doug and Nancy will miss his great wit, keen memory and the many stories that Joe would share of his life at work, his many golf friends at Lookout and his family.

Following Joseph’s wishes cremation has taken place. Online condolences available at www.cudneyfuneralhome.com.

RIP Joe