EASTPORT – James C. Bates, M.D., died Saturday, April 1, 2006, at a Calais hospital. James was born May 30, 1911, in Calais, the son of the late George B. and Julia A. (Taylor) Bates. He was educated at Calais Academy, Class of 1928 and at the University of Maine. During 1931-1932, he was a staff assistant on the International Passamaquoddy Fisheries Commission in St. Andrews. This association resulted in a lifelong family relationship both with friends in St. Andrews and Norway. Dr. Bates graduated from Tufts College of Medical School in 1936 and completed his internship at the Eastern Maine General Hospital in Bangor. He started his practice in Calais. The following year he became the resident doctor at the Quoddy Hospital in Quoddy Village. Over a period of years, he established his entire medical practice in Eastport. In 1944, Dr. Bates and Dr. Richard E. Buker, along with members of the community, reestablished the Eastport Memorial Hospital, which had been closed during World War II. His 43 years of practice included the Canadian communities on Deer Island and Campobello Island and in the adjacent communities to Eastport. Dr. Bates was a deacon of the Central Congregational Church, a past president of the Rotary Club and a past president of the Eastport City Council, having served as a member for eight years. In 1993, he was surprisingly granted a diploma from the University of Maine, some 61 years after his classmates had received theirs. James was predeceased by his brother, Arlo T. Bates; and his sister, Charlotte (Mrs. John) Brooks. Surviving are his wife, Mary (Hilyard), to whom he was married July 13, 1951 in Orland; his children, Mary Gilman of Eastport, Rebecca Thibeault of Bangor, Julia Brilliott and her husband, David, of Calais and Susan Burby and her husband, Brian, of Glenburn; grandchildren, Sarah Miller and husband, John, Emily Paley and husband, Andy, Jeffrey Burby, Ben Brilliott and wife, Tracey, Laura Gilman and Lucas Brilliott; great-grandchildren, Johnny Miller, Keanu Lewey, Cory Paley and Noah Paley; and a special nephew, Richard Bates. A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, at the Brewer Cemetery in Robbinston. No flowers please. Donations in Dr. Bates’ memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Flagg Funeral Home, Eastport. Friends may pay tribute at www.maysfuneralhome.com
JAMES C. BATES M.D.
