Bruce Frederick Bates of Teeswater, passed away unexpectedly, surrounded by his family, at Windsor Regional Hospital on Monday, September 9, 2024, after a short, but courageous battle.
Bruce was born in Orangeville near his family dairy farm in Grand Valley, Ontario. Later his family moved to Teeswater-Culross where Bruce attended public school and later graduated from F.E. Madill in Wingham while helping on his family farm.
Bruce acquired many trades including plumber, H-Vac and Stationary Engineer. Bruce was very active in the community as a church elder, cemetery board director, member of the church, church board manager, member of the municipal tree committee and one of the founding members of Team Farmall.
Bruce and Margie (née Ropp) were married at Atwood, Ontario on September 24, 1971. They enjoyed many years together residing in Kincardine, Monkton, St. Marys and settled on Thomas Street in Teeswater in 1977 and later moving to their present location at their farm on the 6th concession of Culross.
Bruce enjoyed boating, canoeing, agriculture, sailing, woodworking and carpentry. He also had a gift for mechanics. He could fix everything.
Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and passed many of his gifts and passions onto his children and grandchildren.
Survived by his wife of 53 years Margie.
Cherished father of Melynda (Rob) Henschel, Casey Bates (Joey Coxon), Shannon (Bill) Henry, Ryan (Carolina) Bates.
Adored by his 8 grandchildren; Kassandra (Nicholas) Young, Lauren Henschel (Michael Dirven), Ty Henry (Sadie Scott), Spencer Bruce Henry (Kristen Ross), Jessie Henry (Whyatt Wilken), Simon Henry, Gordon Bates, Gwen Bates and great-grandchildren, Rhett Dirven, Stetson Henry, and Brooks Young.
Fondly remembered by in-laws: Edith Schalk, Bill Ropp, Fred (Verna) Ropp, Doug (Valerie) Ropp and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Bruce will be missed by many lifelong friends and neighbours.
Predeceased by his parents Bill and Jessie (née Jenkins) Bates, father and mother-in-law, Bill and Gladys Ropp, and in-laws, Ruth (Martin) Brand, Lynn Ropp and Gerard Schalk.
Visitation was held at the Tiffin Funeral Home, Teeswater on Friday, September 13th, 2024 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The funeral service to honour Bruce’s life was held at Knox Presbyterian Church, Teeswater on Saturday, September 14th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Interment Culross-Teeswater Cemetery.
Memorial donations to Knox Presbyterian Church or Friends of Algonquin Park would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
