Ronald Mark Gates

GATES, RONALD MARK - Age 77 years, of Santa Rosa, CA, died Sunday, October 13, 2013 at his home after a battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was born to the late Frank and Josephine Gates in Queens, NY on September 14, 1935. Ron served time in the U.S. Army from 1953 - 1956 in Fort Bragg, NC. During his service in the Army, Ron married Theresa Gates and had his first of 3 children - Ronald Jr. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1956, he and his family returned to Queens, NY and shortly thereafter moved to the suburbs of Long Island, NY and bought a home in Lindenhurst, NY. In the early 1970's Ron moved to Southern California where he met his 2nd wife, Cher Gates, and eventually making their home in Santa Rosa, California in the mid 1980's. Ron was a First Line Manager with Pacific Bell in Special Services until he retired in 1986, then worked as an Installer/Repairman for SunTelCo of Santa Rosa until 2003. Ron was an avid wine enthusiast, Wii bowler and he loved to travel. Ron was a husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend to many. Ron is preceded in death by 3 sisters; Beverly McCormick, June Capasso, Catherine (Dolly) Donaldson and brother Frank Gates Jr. all of NY. Ron is survived by his 2nd wife Cher Gates of Santa Rosa, a very special friend Lee Mattei of Santa Rosa, 2 Sons, Ronald Gates Jr. and Lisa of Seattle WA; Cliff Gates and wife Colleen of Bayshore, NY; and Jessica Gates Garrison and husband Dan of Arkadelphia, AR. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Benjamin, Casey and Makali; Sisters Joann Latassso and Grace Gates. A Celebration of Ron