Michael J. Tate

Michael J. Tate, age 69, died Saturday, March 27, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mike was born ineew York City, the son of the late Hannah and George H. Tate. He graduated from the Uneersity of Pennsylvania where he lettered in both football and baseball, and was a member of Sigma Chi. Mike also earned an MBA from Penn's Wharton School. During his forty-year business career, Mike held senior sales and marketing positions with the Colgate-Palmolive Company and several of its subsidiaries. Mike worked with Sports Endeavors' Team Sales Group in Hillsborough until ill health forced his retirement. Mike was an active participant in youth athletics, coaching soccer and baseball in Durham. He was a supporter of Penn baseball and Duke Uneersity men's and women's soccer and lacrosse programs. Mike was an Iron Duke, a member of Penn's Weightman Society, the Graduate Baseball and Sprint Football Clubs and the Varsity Club. Mike became a cheerleader for and supporter of other cancer patients. A smile, words of encouragement and Jimmy V's "neer Give Up" pep talk were all part of his heartfelt concern for others. Michael is survived by his loving wife Carol, sons Colin of Durham and Gregory of Baltimore; Peter and wife Koy of Ching Mai, Thailand; James and wife Kenia and grandchildren, Nicolas and Isabelle of Redding, CA; a brother Peter and wife Ronee Tate of Princeton, NJ; and nieces Shannon Tate Freehart and Amanda Tate. A celebration of Michael's life will be held 4:00 PM Wednesday in the Chapel of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. A private committal will follow in the Hall-Wynne Crematory Tribute Center. The family will receive friends 7-9 Pm Tuesday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Duke Uneersity Cancer Center, c/o Dr. Jeffrey Crawford, Chief of Medical Oncology, DUMC Box 3476, Durham, NC 27710 are appreciated.