Ralph L. Bates Jr., 89, of Corfu, passed away Thursday, January 17, 2019 at United Memorial Medical Center.
Ralph was born June 4, 1929 in Waterbury, CT, to the late Ralph L. Bates Sr. and Helen (Welton) Bates. He was predeceased by his sister Florence Christian and nephew Peter Christian.
In 1948 he was on a 3 man relay swim team which set a national high school record for 300 yard relay time of 3:07.8.
Mr. Bates graduated from Trinity-Pawling Prep. School and attended Hobart College. He served with the United States Army in Korea from 1952 - 1954. Mr. Bates worked for International Paper Company and was a customer service manager at F. N. Burt Company, retiring in 1992.
He coached little league baseball for several years and was an assistant coach for the Ramparts hockey team. Mr. Bates was a longtime member of the Corfu United Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder and was a member of the Men’s group. He was a member of the Darien Senior Citizens and an escort volunteer at the VA Hospital.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo (Gerbracht) Bates, daughter Marcia Bates, son Ralph L. Bates III and nephew Mathew Christian.
Friends may call Monday, January 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc., 4 East Main Street, Corfu. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 22 at 11 a.m. at the mortuary. Burial will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Corfu.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Corfu United Presbyterian Church, PO Box 159, Corfu, NY 14036. Arrangements were made by C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc., Corfu.
