Richard Frederick Bates (Rick) passed away April 4, 2022 at his home in Skaneateles. He had a two-year battle with cancer that ended peacefully. Rick was born on July 14, 1941, in Boston, MA. He spent first-grade attending school in South Bristol, ME. The family moved to Dorchester, MA, where he graduated in 1959.
While at Dorchester High School, he was a co-captain of the basketball team and high scorer for two years. His love of basketball continued throughout his adult life. He played full court at the YMCA into his 70s. For his 70th birthday he treated himself to the Jim Boeheim Fantasy Basketball Camp where he competed against men half his age. Rick scored eight points in their final game at the Carrier Dome.
After graduating from high school Rick attended Suffolk University receiving his bachelor’s degree. Following college, he enlisted in the Army and from 1964 to 1967 he was part of the Army Intelligence unit out of New Haven, CT. Once he returned to civilian life, he followed a career in human resources. In 1967 Rick married Marylynn Swiman and they raised their two children, Tracey and Fred in Walpole, MA.
Rick met Maggie Culleton in Ft Myers, FL in 2005. They bought a home in Skaneateles, two years later. They spent winters in Florida and the summers in New York. During his retirement, Rick took up golf and excelled in duplicate bridge. He worked for the Minnesota Twins in their ticket office during spring training. He became an avid Syracuse University sports fan and attended the Final Four basketball tournament in Atlanta.
Maggie’s family adopted Rick instantly, and he vacationed with them frequently. The extended family traveled to France, Italy, Costa Rica, Belize and many places across the U.S. Rick and Maggie visited Rick’s daughter in Dublin and his son in London and Buenos Aires as well.
Rick is predeceased by his wife Marylyn and his parents Helen and Frederick Bates Jr. In addition to Maggie Culleton, Rick is survived by his daughter Tracey Bates of Quincy MA, son Frederick Bates (Sarah) and grandchildren Alex and Melissa Bates of Coral Gables, FL, as well as his sister-in-law Toby Rapp Walsh of Woonsocket, RI.
At his request there will be no service. Contributions may be made in his name to your local animal rescue or SAVES ambulance.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
