Mr. William C. "Bill" Gates Jr.

Mr. William C. “Bill” Gates, Jr., age 72, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer. William was the son of the late William and Pauline Minkel Gates. He was raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania and attended North Scranton and Central High Schools. He graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Business Administration. After college, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in Vietnam where he was exposed to the toxic warfare chemical, Agent Orange. On October 5, 1968 he married the former Gloria Jean Gramigna. They lived in Frankfort, NY, Coconut Creek, FL, and Pleasant Lake, Stratford, NY during their 42-year union. His beloved Gloria preceded him in death April 10, 2010. Bill was an energetic man and an excellent sales representative who had a varied work career. He worked first for Nestle Corporation and later Combined Life Insurance and the Federal Reserve Bank. In addition, he had several business ventures of his own initiative. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching and attending ball games with his wife, son, father, grandchildren, and brothers-in-law. He loved his family and the many traditions they instituted like taking the Polar Express train every Christmas from Utica, and rooting for the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Tigers. Survivors are a son, Billy and Kathryn Gates of Athens, NY; his daughter Renee Gates of Newport; and the joys of his life, his grandchildren, Emily Tracey Gates, Brandon Tyler Gates, and Alexis Gloria Jean Ellsworth. Additional survivors include a sister, Florence Konosky of Carbondale, PA; his mother-in-law, Bobbie Gramigna; five brothers-in-law, Victor, Marty, and Ronnie, all of Scranton; Gary of Framingham, MA, and Frankie Allen of Morrisville, VT; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Bill and Gloria’s many friends in both NY and PA who visited him in his final days also survive him and will all miss him. The family is grateful for the care rendered to Bill by the nurses and staff of Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., and the entire staff of Dr. Alicia M. DeTraglia’s medical office. Visitation will be held Sunday from 1:00-4:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Bill’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Monday morning at 9:00 from the funeral home and at 10:00 at Historic Old St. John’s Church officiated by Rev. John Buehler. Flowers are accepted, but please consider a memorial donation in William’s honor to Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc.; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Committal services with Military Honors will take place in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum at Holy Trinity Cemetery with entombment to follow. “I feel happy. I feel healthy. And I feel terrific!”

Mr. William C. "Bill" Gates Jr.

April 9, 1941 - October 27, 2013