William Gately Sr.

William J. Gately, Sr., decorated veteran of the United States Army and grandfather of fourteen. William J. Gately, Sr., died peacefully on October 26, 2013, near his home in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was 84. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 26, 1929, to William Edson and Marion Rose (nee Davis), his whole life Mr. Gately remained close to his two sisters, Mildred and Marion, both deceased, and his surviving brother, Paul, of Hopedale, Massachusetts. After graduating from Malden Catholic High School, he served overseas in the United States Army during the Korean War as a Crypt Specialist, Private First Class in the 4th Signal Battalion. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and transferred to the United States Army Reserve. For his service, Mr. Gately was bestowed the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Meritorious Unit Commendation. In 1957, Mr. Gately received his bachelors degree in accounting from Boston College. Mr. Gately was first and foremost a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. In 1960, he married the late Dorothy Cecilia (nee Perachi) and together they had six children: Elizabeth Ellen, deceased, William and wife Mary of Alexandria, Virginia, Stephen and wife Lisa of Washington, D.C., David and wife Caroline of Washington, D.C., Lauren and husband Michael of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and Scott and wife Jill of Salem, Massachusetts. He will be remembered as Grandpa by his 14 grandchildren: Cody, Cameron, Brooke, Lili, William, Rylie, Elizabeth, Aidan, Matthew, Skyler, Stefan, Julianna, Charlotte, and Cooper. A resident of Acton, Massachusetts where he raised his family, Mr. Gately was an active community leader, serving as Chairman of the Acton Democratic Town Committee, Vice-Chairman of the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Council, Co-Founder of the Acton Community Chest, and Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of The Community School. For 35 years he worked at Raytheon Company, retiring in 1992 as business manager for the Software Systems Laboratory. He moved to Bonita Springs, Florida with Dorothy and enjoyed traveling after his retirement. Mr. Gately loved and was loved by his many nieces and nephews. He will be missed dearly by close friends in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he lived happily the last 15 years of his life. Family and friends may call on November 1, 2013, from 4p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Acton Funeral Home 470 Massachusetts Ave (RT. 111) Acton, Massachusetts. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on November 2, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church 89 Arlington Street Acton. Memorial Page and Online Guest Book at www.actonfuneralhome.com