Richard Allen Gates Jr,

Richard (Rich / Rick) Allen Gates Jr., 54, of Longmeadow, MA, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2024, after a long illness. He was born in Holyoke to the late Richard and Donna (Haas) Gates. Rich grew up in South Hadley and Chicopee and graduated from Holyoke Catholic High School in 1986. He graduated from Westfield State College in 1990 and worked as a manager at the former Fleet Bank. Rich went on to attain several computer certifications and worked as a Business Systems Analyst for United Healthcare in Hartford.  

Rich will be remembered as always being the life of the party. He loved to make everyone laugh and befriended people from all walks of life.  He enjoyed spending time at home watching television and movies, especially in the sci-fi and fantasy genres. He took pride in renovating his home over the years and loved hosting family holidays. Among his favorite pastimes was spending long days at the beach with his beloved yellow lab, Finn. 

He leaves his partner of 29 years, Shawn Hutcheons of Longmeadow; his sisters Kari Gates of Florida and Cherin Gates of Palmer; his aunts, Joni Haas Zubi of South Hadley, Beth Cosmos of Chicopee, and Christine Arnold of Southwick; an uncle, Doug Gates of Chicopee; nephews, Justin, Cory, and James; niece, Cassandra; cousins, Christopher, Timothy, Shaun, Ryan, and Chris; and many other family and friends. He was predeceased by his uncle Gary Haas. 

Calling Hours will be held at the West Springfield Curran Jones Funeral Home, 109 Main Street, on Tuesday May 28, 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dakin Humane Society, Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101