Mark E. Bates

Mark E. Bates
Mark E. 'Killer' Bates of Contoocook, NH, President and co-owner of Weaver Brothers Construction, passed away at the age of 58 on Friday, July 15th in Brigham and Women's Hospital surrounded by family and cherished friends , after a hard fought and courageous, 7 month battle with cancer.

Mark attended elementary school in Warner, NH. He was a part of the first graduating class of Kearsarge Regional High School in Sutton in 1971. He later graduated with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Plymouth State College in 1975. He was a proud member of Kappa Delta Phi fraternity. He was the ('unofficial') Arm Wrestling Champion at PSC.

He started his career at Weaver Brothers Construction in the summer of 1971 at the age of 18, working every summer until 1975 when he became a full time employee. He was foreman of the Goodwin Railroad Crew. He worked his way up from Laborer to co-owner and President of Weaver Brothers Construction which he acquired with his brothers in 1994

He was the past president of New Hampshire Good Roads and the Association of General Contractors of New Hampshire. He was on the board of the Hopkinton Economic Development Committee. He served as Commissioner of the Contoocook Men's Softball League and was a member of the Concord Mashers Basketball Rec League. He was an avid snowmobiler, motorcyclist and competitive skier. He enjoyed ice fishing, and diving in warm waters. He enjoyed playing racquetball and was a popular competitive member of the Concord Racquetball Club. Killer was the ultimate sports fan, especially of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He loved golfing and was a natural with a club. He recently parred the famous Par 3 17th hole at the TPC Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida from the championship tees while golfing with good friends.

Killer was the ultimate 'giver' of social kindness and was loved by too many to count. No one could light up a room with joy and laughter like Killer could. He once said that his goal in this life was to try to make the world a better place. And he did that with every little gesture, from every sincere 'How's It Going Today? Everything alright?" greeting to his state senator to the cleaning lady in his hospital room in Boston, to his generous monthly donation to his 11 year old Child Fund (one of many causes he contributed to)recipient in Honduras who wrote him recently to tell him that she thinks of him as her second father. He was truly one outstanding generous soul whom everyone loved and always looked forward to seeing. He was gifted in his ability to touch everyone he met in his unforgettable way, and all who knew him were truly blessed and impressed by his presence in their lives.

Killer was predeceased by his father Roger T. Bates in 2010. He is survived by his mother, Virginia Bates of Warner, his brothers Peter Bates and his wife Ginny of Warner, and Jeff Bates and his wife Darcey of Newbury. Two nephews, Jason Bates of Warner and Adam Bates, also of Warner, and a niece Jessica Chandler and her husband Jeff of Newbury, two great nephews, Andrew and Cole; his girlfriend Diane Begin; all his wonderful employees at Weaver Brothers (AKA Weaver Land) and his many cherished friends. Collectively they made his circle of life complete.

Calling hours are at Chadwick Funeral Home, 235 Main Street, New London, NH on Thursday, July 21 from 5:30 – 8:30pm
A graveside service will be held in Schoodac Cemetary at high noon on Friday, July 22, followed by a Celebration of Killer's life to be held at 114 Burnt Hill Road in Warner, NH.
Flowers are welcomed, as are donations to the William Weaver Scholarship Fund, c/o NH Good Roads Association, Bayberry Commons, Concord, NH 03301 or to the Ame