Garry F. Bates December 29, 1942 - October 9, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Garry Bates on October 9th, 2024.  He passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  Garry was born in Manitoulin Island, Ontario in 1942.  He grew up in Chatsworth, Ontario and attended high school in Owen Sound, Ontario where he met and married his teen sweetheart, Loretta.  They were married for 61 years.

Garry is survived by his wife Loretta, his children Lori Bates (Jack), Deanna Pacheco (Humberto), Todd Bates (Rachel) and daughter in law Anita Lundmark, his grandchildren Nicole, Andrew (Courtney) and Kristen Pacheco, Kaitlyn and Joel Bates, Skylar and Breanna Hart, siblings, Larry (Barb) and Marguerite (Gary) and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Garry received degrees from the Universities of Toronto and Waterloo and received his Masters’ Degree from the University of Ottawa. He began his long and illustrious career in education as a teacher then a principal in Toronto. He then became a Superintendent of Education in Ottawa before joining the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa. In 1980, Garry moved the family to Dryden where he became the Superintendent of Education with the Dryden Board of Education.  In 1986 he became the first ever Director of Education in Ontario to be the Director of two school boards at the same time. He served as the Director of Education for the Dryden and Fort Frances separate school boards until his retirement in 1996.

For Garry, family was the most important thing.  When the kids were young, camping and family time was on top of the agenda.  In winter he traded his fishing pole for a garden hose to make sure the backyard skating rink was perfect.  When it came to organized sports, he was ready to hit the road to watch Todd play hockey and never missed any of Deanna’s basketball games. When the grandchildren came along, there was no bigger cheerleader than Garry as he loved to watch his grandchildren compete in various sports like volleyball, gymnastics, hockey, figure skating, bowling and concert band concerts.

Garry was active throughout his life as he enjoyed fishing, camping, golfing, hunting and snow machining. He was equally active during his nearly 20 years in Mesa Arizona with Loretta as he always volunteered his time such as organizing Ladder Ball tournaments, all while making lifelong friends. He was also great with his hands as he could fix and repair just about anything whether it be plumbing, electrical or carpentry.  Woodworking however was his passion as he was meticulous, making everything from rocking horses for the grandchildren to beautiful grandfather clocks.

Garry will be best remembered for his love of family and friends (and dogs), his sense of humor, his words of wisdom and compassion towards others.  He was simply, always there!!