Raymond C. Gates
1944 – 2015

SOUTH HADLEY – Raymond C. Gates, 70, of Pine Grove Drive died Wednesday in Baystate Medical Center surrounded by his loving family Ray was born in Springfield, grew up in Colrain and had lived in Meridan, CT, Westfield and Chicopee most of his life before moving to South Hadley a couple of years ago. He owned and operated New England Air Balance for many years and was a journeyman Sheet Metal Worker. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Ray was a longtime youth baseball coach in Chicopee. He leaves his wife Karen M (Wickstrom) Gates; two sons Kristin M. Gates and his wife Sharon of Wilbraham and Kevin M. Gates of South Hadley. He also leaves a sister Patricia Bradway; two brothers Daniel and Gerald; and four grandchildren Kendall, Corrine, Olivia and Colby. A committal service will be held in the Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Agawam Tuesday at 9:00am. Visiting hours will be at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Monday from 4:00 – 7:00pm For more details please visit curranjones.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project – woundedwarriorproject.org.