Charles Bates, 53, of Solomons, Md., died suddenly on Sept. 24, 2015 while in Belize.
Chuck was in the country temporarily helping to manage a friend's restaurant. It brings great solace to family and friends that he passed away near the ocean he loved while helping a friend. He was in "paradise." Helping friends and family and putting others before himself will be his lasting legacy. He was selfless nearly to a fault.
Chuck was born June 19, 1962 in Penn Yan, NY to the late Charles Bates Sr. and Patricia (Bailey) Bates. Soon, the family moved to Troy, where all four children were raised.
Chuck graduated from Troy Area High School in 1980. Chuck was a gifted athlete in many sports, especially baseball. He was an all-star catcher for the Troy Trojans for all four years at Troy.
After high school, Chuck moved to the Pocono Mountain area of Stroudsburg, Pa. He began his career in restaurant management there. He loved the area and made many lasting friendships.
In later years, Chuck hosted several reunions in the Poconos for family and friends. Those were the moments he most treasured.
Chuck was in the country temporarily helping to manage a friend's restaurant. It brings great solace to family and friends that he passed away near the ocean he loved while helping a friend. He was in "paradise." Helping friends and family and putting others before himself will be his lasting legacy. He was selfless nearly to a fault.
Chuck was born June 19, 1962 in Penn Yan, NY to the late Charles Bates Sr. and Patricia (Bailey) Bates. Soon, the family moved to Troy, where all four children were raised.
Chuck graduated from Troy Area High School in 1980. Chuck was a gifted athlete in many sports, especially baseball. He was an all-star catcher for the Troy Trojans for all four years at Troy.
After high school, Chuck moved to the Pocono Mountain area of Stroudsburg, Pa. He began his career in restaurant management there. He loved the area and made many lasting friendships.
In later years, Chuck hosted several reunions in the Poconos for family and friends. Those were the moments he most treasured.
Chuck spent the remaining years of his life in Calvert County, Md. He continued his career in management at Ruby Tuesday restaurant where he worked for over 15 years. He was promoted to general manager and for several years ran the restaurant in California, Md. He loved this restaurant and those he met there. He was known as a tough boss with very high expectations. He cared deeply for employees and was a great mentor to many. He went above and beyond to encourage them to succeed in every aspect of their lives.
When not working, Chuck enjoyed golf and hanging out with his friends. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Alabama Crimson Tide fan ("ROLL TIDE"). He hosted many Super Bowl parties and took friends to Pittsburgh several times for games. He loved that city and was so proud to take people with him to the stadium. Chuck will also be remembered for his obsession with Jimmy Buffet! His goal was to go to the concert every year and to take as many friends as he could fit in a limo or bus! Those were the moments Chuck lived for.
Chesapeake Hills Golf Course was his home course and where he "lived" in his free time. He also worked there part time for over 10 years. He made many friends there and they became his second family.
He is survived by his sister, Brenda Bates of Abington; brothers, Craig Bates (Shelly) of South Royleston, Mass. and Christopher Bates of Solomons, MD; and nephews Dylan, Devin and Derek Bates. He is also survived by many loving cousins and great friends he cherished so much. Debbie Ayres Hickok of Troy, was his most treasured friend and confidant for over 40 years and is a special friend of the family. She was his rock, his "go to" friend when he felt he had no one else to turn to. He always knew Deb was there. Thank you Deb and we love you.
A memorial service for Chuck will be held at 1 p.m. on Oct. 17, 2015 at the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Chuck Bates Memorial Fund, care of Deb Hickok. The funds will be used for a memorial bench at Alparon Park in Troy, where Chuck spent many hours playing baseball, basketball and mentoring younger athletes.
When not working, Chuck enjoyed golf and hanging out with his friends. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Alabama Crimson Tide fan ("ROLL TIDE"). He hosted many Super Bowl parties and took friends to Pittsburgh several times for games. He loved that city and was so proud to take people with him to the stadium. Chuck will also be remembered for his obsession with Jimmy Buffet! His goal was to go to the concert every year and to take as many friends as he could fit in a limo or bus! Those were the moments Chuck lived for.
Chesapeake Hills Golf Course was his home course and where he "lived" in his free time. He also worked there part time for over 10 years. He made many friends there and they became his second family.
He is survived by his sister, Brenda Bates of Abington; brothers, Craig Bates (Shelly) of South Royleston, Mass. and Christopher Bates of Solomons, MD; and nephews Dylan, Devin and Derek Bates. He is also survived by many loving cousins and great friends he cherished so much. Debbie Ayres Hickok of Troy, was his most treasured friend and confidant for over 40 years and is a special friend of the family. She was his rock, his "go to" friend when he felt he had no one else to turn to. He always knew Deb was there. Thank you Deb and we love you.
A memorial service for Chuck will be held at 1 p.m. on Oct. 17, 2015 at the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Chuck Bates Memorial Fund, care of Deb Hickok. The funds will be used for a memorial bench at Alparon Park in Troy, where Chuck spent many hours playing baseball, basketball and mentoring younger athletes.
