George Gates Obituary

George Rollo Gates, born Tuesday, December 21st, 1937 to Arba and Alice (Rowe) Gates in Proctorsville, Vermont.

George Rollo Gates, who preferred to be called Joe served a short stint in the US Air Force after high school and was married to his sweetheart, Gertrude E McKinney of Natural Dam, NY on May 17th 1958 – and so their adventure began with the birth of their first child a year later Peggy Sue and the second child, Stewart Howard in 1961. With their family complete, the couple settled down to family life.

I say settled down but our father was never a settled soul, he loved racing anything that he could get his hands on or build. Which included cars, speed boats, go karts, kayaks, and canoes. His best days were spent with a fly rod in the river or deep in the woods hunting whatever was in season. Later in life his passion for fishing and tying flies continued but he traded his gun for a camera, preferring the watch instead of the hunt. No longer hiding from Game Wardens but instead partnering with them to teach disabled children to fish.

He spent many years as a driller in the underground zinc/lead mines of St Joe Minerals in Balmat NY, before moving on across the country to mine coal and uranium, and then across the world to open pit mines for copper, gold and silver. While in Indonesia, he specialized in mine rescue which involved repelling off cliffs, out of helicopters and even up and down glaciers to save people that found themselves in dangerous situations. All the while, he fought for safety and just treatment for his fellow workers.

Joe was a storyteller extraordinaire, true to his Irish/Scottish/Welch ancestry and his innate sense of right and wrong made him a relentless defender of those in need of a voice.

His adventures finally came to an end in Sierra Vista, AZ, a quiet and peaceful passing while his son and wife stood watch over him.

He is survived by his wife Gertrude, his daughter Peggy Sue (Gary Morgan), his son Stewart (Terri Wood), six grandchildren, Claire, Nathan, Nicole, Brian, Molly and Skyler. Great grandchildren Ethan, Marlee, Bailey, Logan, Cody and Nora Rose.