Antique Car and Model Railroad Enthusiast
July 12, 1947 - June 23, 2024
Carlton (Carl) Overton Pate III of Rocky Hill, NJ died at home on June 23, 2024, after miraculously living with advanced cancer for more than two years.
Carl was born July 12, 1947 and grew up in Greenwich, CT. He graduated from Proctor Academy (NH), Monmouth College (IL), and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He spent his entire career in the financial industry, and after nine different bank mergers, he retired as a VP at Bank of America to have more time to enjoy his hobbies.
He was an early Ford enthusiast, owning a 1924 Model T, a 1915 Model T, a 1903 Model A, a 1909 Model T, and a 1905 Model F.
His enthusiasm for antique cars, specifically Fords, led him to write “Pate’s Early Ford Encyclopedia, The Ford Cars – 1903 to 1909.” His book has sold over 1,000 copies and is in 13 countries. He was a member of the AACA and the Early Ford Registry, where he served as president for four years. He also served on the Board of the Horseless Carriage Club of America as secretary, VP, president and chairman of the board.
His other hobby was miniature modeling and model trains, HO scale. He belonged to the Pacific Southern Railway Club in Rocky Hill, NJ where he built a model of the Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers circus tent for the layout and his handmade circus train ran as the finale for all public open house train shows. In 2016, Carl & Anne purchased the home of the Pacific Southern Railway (where the model train layout is in the basement) and moved to Rocky Hill, NJ.
Carl is survived by his wife, Anne N. Pate (Rocky Hill, NJ); his daughter, Lesley P. Marlin (her husband, Harry, and their three sons, Hunter, Colby, & Logan) (Falls Church, VA); his son, Carlton O. Pate IV (Chip) (his wife, Heather, and their 2 daughters, Liliana & Madeline) (Austin, TX); and his sister, Louise Pate Perdew (her husband, Robert, and their children).
A graveside service will be held at St. Mary/Putnam Cemetery, 35 Parsonage Rd (off North St.), Greenwich, CT on July 13, 2024, at 10 am.
Memorial donations may be made to Rocky Hill Fire Co., Box 327, 154 Washington St, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553 or Rocky Hill Rescue Squad, Box 175, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553.
