Richard Dayton Gates, Sr.

Richard Dayton Gates, Sr., 91, of Boylston, passed away in the comfort of his home on Thursday, May 4, 2017, with his loving family at his bedside.  Richard is survived by his loving wife of sixty-seven years, Jean H. (Nylander) Gates; two daughters, Dawn C. Jacobs and her husband Bill of Melrose, and Kimberly J. Kubert of Worcester; eight grandchildren, Richard, III, Debra, Jason, Michele, Daniel, Jill, Adam, and Kaelyn; twelve great grandchildren; a great great-grandson, Baby Bob; nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by two sons, Richard D. Gates, Jr., in 1999, and Robert D. Gates, in October 2016; he was also predeceased by two brothers, Warren and Alden Gates.  Richard was born in Worcester, son of the late, Howard A. and Anna (Pope) Gates.  He graduated from Commerce High School. Richard joined the Marine Corps in March 1944.  He was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, and in the Battle of Iwo Jima, receiving the Presidential Unit Citation.  He was recalled to active duty in 1950 for service during the Korean Conflict.  He was a life-member of the Worcester Detachment, Marine Corps League.  Always proud to be a Marine, he was honored to speak at the State House in Boston, beside Governor Baker, on Iwo Jima Day in February 2017. Richard worked as an inspector for the U.S. Department of Defense, retiring in 1989 as Section Supervisor of the Defense Contract Administration Services, Worcester Office, after forty-two years of service. He was a life-long member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, and was formerly a member of the Church Council, choir and Luther League.  He was a member of the Scandinavian Athletic Club in Shrewsbury, the Boylston Senior Citizens and the YMCA in Worcester.  He was Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade in Boylston in 2011. Richard was a member of the West Boylston lodge of Masons. He was Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Worcester 23rd Masonic District.  Through his fifty years of service to the Masons, he proudly served in many positions at the local and district level.  He was presented the General Joseph Warren Medal for distinguished service to Masonry, by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Calling Hours for Richard will be held on Sunday, May 7, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester; members of the Marine Corps League will render their Funeral Ritual at 5:30 p.m. His Funeral Service will be on Monday, May 8, at 11 a.m. in Emanuel Lutheran Church, 200 Greenwood Street, Worcester (please proceed directly to church).  Followed by Military Funeral Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church, 200 Greenwood Street, Worcester, MA 01607.