SHERMAN MILLS – Francis Orrin Bates, 69, of Sunrise Circle, Wallingford, Conn., died Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Gaynor (Long) Bates. He was born Sept. 5, 1937, in Sherman Mills, a son of the late Orrin and Isabelle (Hutchins) Bates. He had lived in Maine for 33 years until moving to Wallingford, Conn. He had been employed by the Morin Corp., Bristol, Conn., and was a member of the Local 40 Sheet Metal Workers International. Francis was an avid gardener, fisherman and hunter, and loved to color with his granddaughter, Lilly. In addition his loving wife, Gaynor, he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and John Butler of Wallingford, Conn.; his three sons and two daughters-in-law, Scott and Cathy Bates of Sherman Mills, Jay Bates and his fiance, Sue and her children, Brock, Alyssa and Noah, all of Maine, and Kory and Sharon Bates of Wallingford, Conn.; his three grandchildren, Samantha Bates-Willett and her husband, Jacob, of Greenbush, Amanda Bates and Lilly Butler, both of Wallingford, Conn.; his sister and brother-in-law, Edna and Harry Hallenbach of Woodstock, N.H.; his two brothers and sister-in-law, Earl and Priscilla Bates of Southington, Conn., and Junior Bates of Sherman Station; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Alta Bragg. Funeral services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to the American Heart Association, 1 Union St., Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 or the charity of ones choice. The arrangements are under the direction of The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St. Ext., Wallingford, Conn. www.wallingfordfh.com
FRANCIS O. BATES
