Obituary of James Warren Bates

James W. Bates, 69, of Strafford, NH and formerly of Lynn, MA, died peacefully on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at the Hyder Hospice Unit at the Riverside Nursing home in Dover, NH with his family at his side. He was the devoted husband of his childhood sweetheart Judith A. (Chiplinsky) Bates whom he met at the age of 15 and shared 47 years of marriage. He was born in Lynn, MA on October 24, 1946, the son of the late Frank and Margaret (Mills) Bates and was raised and educated in Lynn graduating from Lynn English High School "class of 1964." He resided in Lynn for many years before moving to Strafford, NH 20 years ago. While in Lynn, MA, in the earlier years he enjoyed using his CB radio with his call name "JellyBelly", also he was very active in the Lynn Little League System serving as a coach, manager, and umpire for many years. He loved to ride his motorcycle and later a gold wing trike. Jim had a great sense of humor, he was the life of the party, and he would give the shirt off his back to those in need. He also liked to call people by special nicknames. He had been employed as a Service customer computer Engineer with the IBM Corporation working out of the Waltham office for 25 years prior to his retirement in 1997. He had been the recipient of the IBM Mean Service award for his outstanding service. One of Jim’s favorite loves was playing pool which he learned at an early age in his childhood home, and enjoyed playing on a team at the Press Box Pub in Beverly for many years. He also loved animals and especially his cat, Sky-ling. He is survived besides his wife Judith, a daughter and son-in-law, Tracy “Sweat Pea” and her husband John "JohnBoy" Theodorakopoulos of Groveland, MA, a brother and sister-in-law, Roland "Rol"and Susan Bates of Lowell, MA, a sister, Gail "Gay" Brooks of Summerville, S.C., his precious grandchildren, Alicia “Squish” and Anthony “Antman” Theodorakopoulos both of Groveland and Ryan James “RyRy” Bates of Salem, MA and many nieces and nephews. He was the loving father of the late Todd F. Bates who died in 2008. At his request, there will be a celebration of his life later in the Spring of 2016. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society, 262 County Farm Rd., Dover, NH 03820 or to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02115 in his memory. Assisting the family is the Conway,Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody MA.