Jason C. Gates

Jason Christopher Gates December 10, 2009 Jason Christopher Gates, of South Dartmouth, MA, passed away December 10, 2009, in Orlando, FL. He was born August 11, 1972, to Reeder and Sally Snow Gates in Ithaca, NY. He was active in any sport that came his way from an early age. It was at age six that he formed his great love of hockey, nurtured by the Ithaca Youth Hockey. He attended Ithaca schools until going away to St. Mark's School in Southboro, MA, where he excelled in hockey, lacrosse and football, graduating in 1991. He developed many special relationships with his coaches and mentors. Jason was a gifted athlete and was an All American in lacrosse. Upon graduation from St. Mark's, he received the coveted Fearing Prize for athletic excellence and also the invitation to play in the prestigious North/South Lacrosse Tournament. He then attended Colgate University, where he lettered as a goaltender on the men's hockey team and a midfielder on the lacrosse team, graduating in 1996. He was a graduate of Flight Safety School in Lakeland, FL, where he received training for his commercial pilot license. He was a graduate of New England School of Law, earning a Juris Doctorate, and Boston University earning a master's in tax law. Jason had a private law practice in New Bedford, MA, until shortly before his death. At the time of his death, he was pursuing his dream of becoming a club golf professional in Orlando, FL. Jason strove for excellence in everything that came before him, always reaching for perfection. He was loved dearly by his family and friends. He will be remembered for his kindness, compassion and integrity. An incredible and loving father, he was never happier than when he was with his children. Jason is survived by his parents; wife, Eve Jorge Gates, and three beloved children, Aidan Reeder, Asher Snow and Aislyn "Tiggy" Snow, all of South Dartmouth, MA; his sisters, Dr. Erin Gates of Cranston, RI, Ainsley (Brady) Nunley of Chicago, IL; his paternal grandmother, Helen Gates of Trumansburg; his aunts and uncles, Gail Hood of Oneida, James (Donalyn) Moore of Hopewell Junction, Bette (David) Minarski of Dryden, Brett (Denise) Moore of Canastota, Pam (Ray) Corriveau of Manchester, NH, Vanessa Fey of Trumansburg, and Dona Gates of Bolivar; mother-in-law, Barbara Thompson of South Dartmouth, MA; and his father-in-law, David Jorge of New Bedford, MA. He is also survived by his cousins, Sally Quist, Todd Hood, Miranda Orlowski, Jesse Moore, Vicky Pease, Daniel, Jonathan, Katie, James and Stephan Minarski, Elizabeth, Justin and Katherine Moore, Holli and Wendi Gates, Marc Childs and Shannon Austin, Matt and Joel Fey and Lauren Dublanica. Jason had many teammates and friends, many close like brothers, the two closest being his cousin, Dan Minarski, and his childhood friend, Bill Abel. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Clifford Gates, Forster and Ruth Moore; his uncles, Maurice Gates and Gary Hood, and his father-in-law, Richard Thompson. The family asks those wishing to make a contribution in Jason's memory to kindly consider St. Mark's School, 25 Marlborough Road, Southborough, MA 01772 and Ithaca Youth Hockey Association, PO Box 391, Ithaca, NY 14851. A celebration of Jason's life will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2009, at 1 p.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 402 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY, with Rev. Rebecca Dolch officiating. Arrangements are by Bangs Funeral Home. Please sign the guestbook at syracuse.com/obits