James M. Gately

James M. Gately of West Chester James M. Gately, 95, died peacefully on June 26, 2013 after having lived a lifetime of kindness and generosity to others. He had been cared for by family and the staff of Barclay Friends, West Chester, and also recently by Neighborhood Hospice. Formerly from Schuylkill Haven, he lived for a few years in Reading area, before moving to Barclay in 2007. He was born in Port Carbon, on July 31, 1917, the son of the late Francis L. and Sarah H. Muchlon Gately. Most of his working career was with the Reading and Conrail Railroad in signal maintenance. During WWII the safety work he did as well as his role in Civil Defense was an integral part of the National Defense. He retired at the age of 62 after many years of being on-call round the clock to handle the often dangerous emergencies caused by accidents or major weather related events. His retirement unfortunately included very painful bouts with trigeminal neoralgia, a condition he developed soon after his retirement. He encountered the assistance of many wonderful physicians and other health care workers who frequently came to his aide and for whom he always had gratitude and admiration. Having been generous all of his life, in recent years he was affectionately knows at the "Candy Man." His pockets were always filled with mints which he freely gave to others while chatting with them. He was a lifelong learned who began using a computer at age 92 and wrote several books. He never failed to read the daily newspaper both to keep up with the news and to follow his beloved Phillies. He was preceded in death by his eight siblings and their spouses; his loving wife, Mildred Nora Matz Gately; her three sisters and their spouses; and his infant great-grandchild, James Grant Skilton. He is survived by his daughter, Ann Gately Skilton; son-in-law, Peter Thomas Skilton; grandsons, Michael (husband of Kathryn), David (husband of Sabrina), and Zachary (husband of Flavia); great-grandsons, Calvin and Liam; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to either Barclay Friends Caring Fund, to help provide for their residents whose funds have been depleted or to the Day Room at St. Agnes Church for the benefit of those in need in the area. Barclay Friends is located at 700 North Franklin Street, West Chester PA and St. Agnes Church is located at 205 West Gay Street, West Chester PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, with the Reverend Monsignor Edward Zemanik officiating. A viewing will be held prior from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass at St. Ambrose. Entombment will then take place in the St. Ambrose Mausoleum. A second Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. at Barclay Friends, July 20, 2013. To extend online condolences, visit, www.gsesfuneralhomes.com. Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven, has been entrusted with the arrangements.