NORWICH – Brian Bates, 43, passed away unexpectedly on June 19, 2012 in Starke, Fla.
Brian was born in Norwich on March 24, 1969. He attended school in Norwich until 1984 when his parents moved to Lochloosa, Fla. Brian finished his school in Hawthorne, Fla.
Brian had a heart of gold and helped everyone around him who needed assistance and readily lent a non-judgmental listening ear to his far flung family members. He was an accomplished cook and ran his own cafe for a number of years. He enjoyed sharing new recipes and he doted on his beloved dachshunds. He was a loving and devout man who shared his creed by his deeds.
Brian is survived by his mother and stepfather Barbara and Dennis Redenback of Oxford, his maternal grandfather Robert Collier of Norwich, his siblings Debby and Roger Monk of Plymouth, Sue and Mike Wyman of Marysville, OH, Pat and Mike Donnelly of Norwich, Gary Bates of Norwich, Terri and Dave Buckman of Bloomfield, Cathy and Steve Barrows of McDonough and Penny Page of Plymouth. Many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Brian was predeceased by his father George Bates, his grandmother Eleanor (Wilkes) Collier and his grandparents Clayton and Ida (Frink) Bates.
A celebration of Brian’s life will be held on Friday, July 6, at 1 p.m. from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Ted Bates, Brian’s uncle will officiate. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery of Oxford with Brian’s uncle Leon Barrows offering the committal prayers.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.