LEWISTON — John “Jack” K. Bate, 99, a resident of Montello Heights in Lewiston, followed his Christmas angels to heaven and peace on Dec. 19, his 99th birthday, at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

Jack was a lifelong resident of the Jay and Livermore Falls area and a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church before moving to Montello Heights on April 3, 1999. He was born on Dec. 19, 1911, in Ticonderoga, N.Y. He was the son of John and Agnes (Daughn) Bate. He graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1929, where he played football, basketball and baseball.

Jack was employed by the International Paper Company at the Otis Mill as a quality control manager for 43 years, until his retirement in 1970. Jack was able to enjoy 40 years of retirement. He especially enjoyed traveling for the company to locations such as New York, Chicago and Philadelphia.

On June 20, 1938, in Schenectady, N.Y., he married Mary Maxwell. They had eloped to Schenectady because married women as teachers were not permitted at this time. They kept the secret of their marriage for many months until this strict regulation for teachers was changed. They were married for 60 years until Mary’s passing on July, 2, 1998. Together, they had one son, John E. Bate, who passed away on Jan. 2, 1996 at the age of 55, after a lengthy illness.

Jack was never the same after these losses, although he seemed to realize that his time here was more precious than he had ever known before. He lived the last years of his life being lovingly cared for by his grandchildren, Karen and John. Jack loved to watch a good Western movie on television and his favorite meal was his desert. He especially loved the chocolate cream pie from Youly’s Restaurant in Turner, where his grandchildren would take him out to eat. Jack loved to watch his great-granddaughter, Jillian, play with the change he had collected and as she got older, he would ask her to count it all and tell him how much there was. His collection of change was counted many, many times. He lovingly nick-named her “JJ.”

Jack leaves behind his granddaughter, Karen Bate-Pelletier and husband, Timothy; great-granddaughter, Jillian and step-great-grandson, Aaron, of Lewiston; his grandson, John F. Bate and his family, Erin Demars and their twins, Ava and Isabelle, all of Lewiston; and his daughter-in-law, Jacqueline M. Bate of Auburn. Gramps, you will be missed, more than you know. Sleep in Heavenly peace, sleep in Heavenly peace.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com