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Richard Bud Gates Sr.

Date of Death: October 21, 2017

Date of Birth: June 21, 1929

Biography:

Richard "Bud" Oliver Gates—Gardiner—Richard "Bud" Oliver Gates was called home to rest in the arms of his heavenly Father, at his home on October 21 in the midst of his loving wife Jackie and family. Bud was born on June 21, 1929 in Gardiner to H.R. Gates and Clara Smith Gates. He lived most of his life in West Gardiner. Bud was a great man of strength and compassion with many "passions" such as gardening and meticulous mowing. His hobbies included camping, fishing with his children and going to breakfast with his special brothers-in-law, Erland "Gus" Danforth and Junior Danforth. Bud was proud to be an American and had old school work ethics and values. After his military service he worked for a short time as a barber and went into apprenticeship to get his master license in plumbing and heating, working for Ford Engineering and then for Acme Engineering and finally at Togus VA. He belonged to Local Union 783. Bud leaves his one true love Jackie and his children: Donna and husband Phil McKenzie, Judy and husband Richard Thurston, Denise and husband Vurle Jones, Richard Gates II and his wife Mary and Jill Adams and partner Chuck Mikalek, step children, Susan Christianson and partner Vaughn, Kathy Nelson and Valerie (Garrett) Oswald, Mark Gow and Ginger Desrosiers, and Doreen Gow, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Bud was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Alma Harvey and a special grandson, Isaiah. A celebration of life will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bud's memory may be made to one of the following: Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice 15 Strawberry Ave. Lewiston ME 04240, Maine Breast Cancer Coalition 499 Broadway PMB 362 Bangor ME 04401, American Lung Association 122 State St. Augusta ME 04330 or to Maine Children Cancer Coalition 100 Campus Drive #107 Scarborough ME 04074.