Benjamin Tate

B. E. “Jack” Tate III., age 88, of Singer Island, FL, and formerly of Erie, passed away Monday March 30, 2015 at Hospice of West Palm Beach County, FL.

Jack was born July 29, 1926, in Springfield, IL, son of the late Benjamin E. and Gladys Wherly Tate Sr. He grew up in Dayton Ohio, graduating from Dayton’s Oak Wood High School. He served in the U. S. Navy during WW II and was a graduate of Arizona State College and also attended John Carroll University in Cleveland.

Following graduation in Arizona he returned to the east coast, settling in Cleveland. There he was employed by Carlon Products, where he began his career in the plastics industry. While working for Carlon they produced and sold the first plastic pipe that was manufactured in the U. S., which stirred his desire to have his own plastics business. Over his 55 year career Jack introduced many new products to the market place, including the Hula Hoop and beverage cases.

Jack continued his career as the owner and CEO of Pyramid Industries in Erie PA, a large producer of plastic pipe, products for beverage industry, products for electrical power plants and fiber optics systems. After selling this business in 1988, he continued his career as a consultant. The legacy he established, serving the plastics industry, will last for many years to come.

He was a member of the Erie Yacht Club for over 60 years, a member of the Lawrence Lodge #708 F. & A. M.; Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Erie, Zem Zem Temple Shrine of Erie and the Amara Shrine of Palm Beach.

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by a granddaughter Lorena Fuller; and sisters Dorothy Williams and June Routzahn.

Jack is survived by his wife Esther Buzzanco Tate, step-daughters Michele Plachta Gracely and Laurie Fuller Kollar; granddaughter Ashley Plachta; grandson Austin Fuller; his twin sister Gladys “Jill” Pascoe along with many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory 602 West 10th Street on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 pm and on Friday from 10:00 am until the time of the service there at 11:00 am, with Pastor Terry Bryant officiating.

Burial will follow in Erie Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association P. O. Box 11454 Alexandria, VA 22312 or the Blinded Veterans Association 125 N. West Street Alexandria VA 22314.