Dennis G. Bates
Dennis G. Bates of Middleport passed away Wed., July 20, 2022, at Medina Memorial Hospital. Dennis was born in Lockport, NY on March 7, 1944, son of George H. and Evelyn M. (Saia) Bates.
He was a 1962 graduate of DeSales Catholic High School and graduated from Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science in 1963.
He served in the NYS Army National Guard from 1965-1971, honorably discharged with the rank of SPC 5. He was employed at Gaul Funeral Home in Lockport before purchasing the Bates, Wallace & Heath Funeral Home in Middleport in 1973 and in 1982 he bought the Bates Cleary Funeral Home in Medina. He has operated the Middleport Funeral Home until retiring in December of 2015 and had been a licensed NYS Funeral Director since 1965. He was a former member of several Funeral Director associations.
He was a member of Holy Trinity Parish/St. Stephen’s R.C. Church where he served as Catholic Charities Chairman for over 40 years, and he also continued to serve as the Sexton for St. Stephen’s Cemetery for 35 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 651 in Medina St. Joan of Arc 4th Degree Assembly, Clute Phillips American Legion Post 938 in Middleport, Gasport Lions Club where he served as President and has received the Distinguished Service Award, Robert J. Uplinger Award and the Melvin Jones Fellowship and he was also a member of the Clinton Club.
Dennis enjoyed traveling, reading, and cooking. He took great pride in his children & grandchildren and his greatest joy was spending time with his family and cooking for them.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years Ann E. (Whalen) Bates; children: Dennis G. (Tracy) Bates Jr. of Hilton, Jeffrey W. (Sheryl) Bates DDS and Susan E. (Michael) Lehman all of Lockport; grandchildren: Lauren Bates, Eric Lehman, Julie Bates, Brian Bates, Renee Lehman and Madden Bates; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard B. Whalen, and Mary J. Fox both of Lockport, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will receive friends at the Bates, Wallace & Heath Funeral Home, 38 State St., Middleport, NY 14105 on Sun., July 24, from 3-8 pm. His mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Trinity Parish/St. Stephen’s Church, 21 Vernon St., Middleport on Mon., July 25 at 10 am. Burial will be in Cold Springs Cemetery in Lockport.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Oblates of St. Francis DeSales, 22043 Parkside Blvd., Toledo, Ohio 43607.
To share a special memory of Dennis, please visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com
