WESTFIELD – Charles A. Bates, 85, (1934-2019) of Westfield died November 6, 2019. He was born in Holyoke to the late Atwood and Jessie (Patton) Bates and was a graduate of South Hadley High School in 1952 and Northampton Commercial College in 1956. He was employed at Parker’s Machine and Gear in West Springfield for 10 years and Acme Chain (now US Tsubaki) in Holyoke for 31 years in the sales department. He loved to fish and hunt and belonged to a local Bass Club called the “Lip Rippers”. He also loved ice fishing and belonged to the famous “Ice Holes” fishing club. Charlie is survived by his loving wife Jean (Ross) Bates and two children, Richard Bates and his wife Tricia of Eliot, Maine and Lisa Berg and her husband Marty Berg of Westfield, and five grandchildren, Megan, Amy and Carrie and Leah and Alex.
A Funeral Home Service will be held on Tuesday at 12 noon in the Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad St. Westfield. Visiting hours will precede the service from 10-12noon in the funeral home. Burial will be private at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Charles’ name may be directed to Shriners Hospital, 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA 01104. www.firtionadams.com
