Dennis G. Bates

Dennis G. Bates of Middleport, passed away Wednesday 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 and 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, his children Dennis G. (Tracy) Bates Jr. of Hilton, Jeffrey W. (Sheryl) Bates DDS of Lockport and Susan E. (Michael) Lehman also of Lockport; his 6 grandchildren Lauren Bates, Eric Lehman, Julie Bates, Brian Bates, Renee Lehman and Madden Bates, a 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 Sunday July 24, from 3:00-8:00pm.  His mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Trinity Parish/St. Stephen’s Church, 21 Vernon St. Middleport on Monday at 10:00am.  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