Obituary of Thomas Paul Gates

Thomas P. Gates passed away suddenly and unexpectedly doing what he loved most, spending time near Huckleberry Lake in Edwards NY on April 1, 2015. Calling hours will be held at French Funeral Home, 16 Barnes St, Gouverneur on Saturday, April 11, 2015 from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at the Gouverneur VFW. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Tom was born to Clinton and Ruth (Marolf) Gates on March 13, 1954 in Gouverneur. He was a 1972 graduate of Gouverneur Central School. He attended SUNY Canton ATC, where he earned an A.A.S in Electrical Technology. Tom was a member of the IBEW local #910 as an Inside Wireman. Tom enjoyed traveling for work, having been able to relocate to Hawaii for a short stint, Puerto Rico, and several states. Recently Tom was working at The New York Power Authority in Massena, NY. Tom enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, trapping, and developing the Firefalls. He had plans of retiring and building a new home on his acreage near Huckleberry Lake. Friends and family always knew where to find him, he was a true outdoorsman. Tom married Jacqueline Pratt and had three children together. Although they later divorced they are great friends who loved and supported their children and grandchildren. Tom was a caring, loving father of three and grandfather of three. Children left behind; Renée Martin of Gouverneur, Rachel Gates of Gouverneur, Jacob & daughter-in-law Casey Gates of Massena. He has 3 beautiful grandchildren; Theresa Otto, Brielle Gates, and Torin Gates. Tom is survived by his mother; Ruth Marolf Gates of Carthage, two brothers and their wives; Lee & Sharon Gates of Gouverneur, Tim & Marsha Gates of Star Lake, and a sister and brother-in-law; Lorraine (Gates) Doehling & Richard Doehling of Rock Hill, SC. Tom is predeceased by his father, Clinton W. Gates of Carthage.