Obituary
It is with joy for a life well-lived that the family of Peter William Guy Gates announce his passing at Bobby’s Hospice on October 24, 2020. Born in Saint John, Peter was a son of Leonard and Lucille (Kirouack) Gates. He worked for many years as an accountant with Revenue Canada and the House of Gates and was a member of the Five Chimneys Association. He volunteered for many organizations over the years and always followed the philosophy of doing the right thing. Peter leaves to mourn his beloved wife Linda Gates (Duplisea); his son Aaron Gates (Amanda) of Saint John, his brother Kenney Gates (Enid) of Burlington, ON; his sister Patricia Cook (Gary) of Sus, NB; his precious granddaughter Sydney Jane; and his beloved nephew John Deschenes of Hampton, NB. He was predeceased by his brother Richard Gates. Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John, NB E2J 2G3 (506-646-2424). A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday November 7, 2020 at 1:00 PM in the Gladstone Cemetery, 35 Prides Landing Road, Fredericton Junction, NB . In lieu of flowers, Peter requests that if you know a family member of someone in your community who needs help, please give to them: “Its just the right thing to do.”
It is a strange thing that someday you could be tasked with writing an obituary for someone you have had in your life for forty-some years. Do I write a record of his involvement in many organizations, his work career or his many varied interests. I am reminded of YouTube and how some of the viewers will give the episode they watch a “thumbs up” and others will give a “thumbs down”. Some viewers go on to comment. So it is with the life of all of us, some thumbs up and some thumbs down. I have asked some friends and family to help me by finishing this sentence by filling in the blank…..
For Linda G he was (the diamond buyer)
For April W. he was like a father to me
For Bruce N. he was integrity
For Eric C. he was like a grandfather
For Faye D.-S. Peter was my brother-in-law and half fourth-cousin and was so much more to me. Everything he did came from his heart, I treasured our relationship with all the good times and the strife’s it contained. I often said I am the baby you got to love me and Peter replied nope don’t gotta but I do. Well Peter brother, I love you too.
For Gregg M. we were just like brothers.
For Jenny G. Uncle Peter naturally and enthusiastically put effort into helping those around him, planning events big and small. These efforts have strengthened connections and created comforting memories. Peter also had an appreciation for the arts in many forms and took interest in other people’s endeavors. I always thought that these were his ways of showing he cared.
For Kenney and Enid G. he was a brother who valued family ties, he was an organizer of many family events, a generous person who had a larger than life approach to his ventures.
For Marcus C. he was a mentor.
For Mark M. and Roland A. he was caring, non-judgemental, completely trustworthy, and unflinchingly dependable.
For Shawn G. Peter was supportive, caring and family-focused individual who wanted the best for others. He gave of himself and his words and was open and honest in what he shared. The genuine nature of this was always appreciated and valued.
These comments give you an idea how some people saw Peter.
For the many religious people among us who gave Peter a thumb up, he had been a good man who tried to do the right thing, one who was welcomed into Heaven. For the rest of us, we will carry in our hearts a man who had definite ideas about what was the right thing to do. A man who when it came to giving put family first, then friends, then anyone in need. He wasn’t like his father of whom Peter said “My father would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need”, I don’t think that Peter’s son could say that, well it might be best to check that out. When we talked about donations Peter thought if you know someone in need give them some help whether it is monetary help or something else. I feel after experiencing the wonderful assistance of the Saint John staff of the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program and the equally wonderful assistance of the staff of Bobby’s Hospice that I would say please help support these people in maintaining the services they provide for the sick and for their caregivers who live in our community.
August 19 1949 October 24 2020 (age 71)
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Peter William Guy Gates August 19 1949 October 24 2020 (age 71)..
Décès pour la Ville: Saint-John, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick