Obituary of Louis F. Bates

Louis F. Bates, 69, of Gilman Street, Putnam, died unexpectedly Thursday evening at the UMass Medical Center in Worcester. He was the beloved husband of Elaine (Lavallee) Bates; they were married May 23, 1971. He was born August 3, 1937 in Putnam, son of Lisa (Lippiello) Pope of Putnam and the late Francis Bates. He had made his home in Putnam most of his life, a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School, he was a member of the Baseball Team and the All State Chorus, he attended Putnam Trade School and graduated with the first class at Ellis Technical School in Danielson. As an 8th grader he was a member of the High School Varsity Baseball team as a pitcher. He was a mold maker for Bermer Tool & Die in Southbridge, Ma. for over forty years. He was a great lover of Sports, an avid golfer, an Eastern CT Board Approved Umpire, and an I.A.A.B.O. 8 Basketball Official. A past president of the Putnam Little League, over the years he coached Little League, Minor League and Senior League Baseball, and softball and also soccer. He was a well known baseball umpire and basketball referee. He was a thirty year member of the Putnam Lodge of Elks #574 and held many offices and a member of the Quinnatisset country club and a former Supernumery with the Putnam Police Department. He leaves in addition to his wife and mother, two sons: Shawn Bates and his wife Jennifer of Putnam; Kyle Bates of Manchester, NH, a daughter: Stacy Bates- Trombley and her husband Tyler of Springfield, VT, He leaves his constant companion, his grandson Kristopher, also grandchildren, Kobie; Karson; Nevaeh, Crystal Rossetti; and a daughter from a former marriage, Lisa Bates of Woodstock. Calling Hours will be Sunday from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Putnam Fire Department Scholarship Fund, 189 Church Street, Putnam, CT 06260 or Putnam Recreational Department Donation Fund, for youth Sports, 126 Church Street, Putnam, CT 06260. To share a memory with his family Light a Candle at www.smithandwalkerfh.com