AUBURN – Ronald J. Bates, 82, of 2161 Lisbon Road, Lewiston, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice with his loving family by his side.
He was born in Warrington, England, on Dec. 26, 1923, the son of Walter and Ellen Tubridy Bates. After graduating from high school, he joined the Royal British Navy. While stationed in Maine during World War II, he met his bride-to-be, Eileen Goss. Married on Dec. 23, 1944, he and Eileen raised five children.
He held various jobs before joining the Lewiston Police Department in 1954, in which he proudly served for 23 years. After retiring from the police force, he worked for Northeast Bank, and then retired to Okeechobee, Fla., where he lived for 22 years with his wife and son.
He was a member of the Canadian Legion and the Scotch Highland Band, in which he was a bagpipe player. In the 1970s, he was an active board member and volunteer for the Madison Street School where his son, Thomas, attended.
He was a self-taught musician and avid lover of many musical instruments, including the banjo and organ.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Eileen; his son, Thomas, of Lewiston; and daughters, Judith Pacios, of Auburn, Barbara Witham and husband, F. Charles, of Greene, Katherine Roy and husband, Robert Jr., of Bailey Island, and Victoria Ballard and husband, Broderick, of Leeds; 10 grandchildren, Melissa Pacios of Lewiston, Jennifer Pacios of Massachusetts, Rhonda Clukey and fianc, Patrick Bolduc, of Greene, Ronald Clukey of Sabattus, Sarah Roy of Madrid, Spain, Laura Roy of Portland, Jana, Jill and Trisha Raymond, of South Boston, Mass. and Bridey Ballard of Portland; and two great-grandchildren, Charlie Barton of Lewiston and Joshua Clukey of Sabattus.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Diane Smith of Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice, as well as all the nurses, CNA’s, cooks and volunteers at the Hospice House in Auburn, and doctors Betty Kennedy and Roger Austin.
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