Louis E. Bates

SWANTON – Louis E. Bates, age 88, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2021 at the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehab Center from complications due to Covid 19, despite being fully vaccinated.

He was born in East Highgate on December 27, 1932 to the late Eugene Sr. & Eva (Silk) Bates.

Louis and Gertrude lived in Florida for 22 years, where they enjoyed friendships, hosting many 500 Card parties, and faithfully attending church together. They moved back to Vermont in 2016. Louis worked for many years as a farm equipment mechanic, a job he absolutely loved and enjoyed. He loved trips to the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, but only with $20! He and Gertrude loved to travel together and were lucky enough to take three memorable trips to Alaska, always catching and canning lots of salmon to bring home. Louis was an animal lover, he raised a jersey cow, pigs and adored his two grand dogs! He will be remembered as a wonderful Father, Brother, and Grandpa.

He is survived by his children, Louis E. Bates Jr. and his wife Linda of Franklin, Patricia Vincent and her husband Andrew of St. Albans Bay, Theresa Wilcox and her husband Richard of Cambridge, Rev. Dr. Tarasa B. Lovich of Manchester and Sally Bates of St. Albans; 15 grandchildren; 25 grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Mary Bates of New Haven; siblings, Bette Nolan of St. Albans Bay, Linda Burnor of Essex, and Gary Bates and his wife Jolly of Georgia; a special godchild, Steve Nolan; two beloved grand dogs, Bingo and Gambler; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, Louis was predeceased by his wife, Gertrude (Burnor) on May 30, 2019; his son, Lonnie Bates on March 18, 2020; his brother, Eugene Bates; his son-in-law, Chris Sutherland; siblings-in-law, Albert Burnor, Blanche Sorrell, Marion Bates, Wayne Nolan, and Burt Sorrell.

Louis’s family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Bayada- PT and OT, and to the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehab Center for the wonderful care they provided. They would also like to thank Missisquoi Valley Rescue for their services.  

Family and friends are invited to Louis’s Life Celebration graveside service on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 10:30 AM in the St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery in Fairfax. At the family’s request, please wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Louis’s memory may be made to the Ladies of St. Anne, Holy Angels, c/o Pat Vincent, P.O. Box 12, St. Albans Bay, Vermont 05481 for the roof fund for the Parish Hall.

Goss Life Celebration Homes is the area’s exclusive provider of Life Celebration events. Please visit our website to share condolences, photos and favorite memories at www.gossfs.com