Stewart Oliver Bates

BATES, Stewart Oliver Of Westwood, died peacefully on November 10, 2008 surrounded by his children. He was 98 years old. Mr. Bates was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 1, 1910. He was a first generation American, as both his parents were born in Scotland and immigrated to the United States. He married his one true love Margaret Cecil Bumsted in 1946 and was married for 40 years. He went to work for the JCPenney Company in 1928 in the mailroom. He retired in 1970 as a Senior Merchandise Manager after 42 years of service. A Veteran of World War II, Mr. Bates enlisted in the United States Army in 1941, serving most of the time in Washington D.C. and Europe. With his retail experience, he was assigned to the Post Exchange and made responsible for providing goods and services to the troops in Europe. One of the great family legends tells the tale of his being one of those responsible for insuring that millions of Alka Seltzers were shipped to and distributed throughout Europe in anticipation of the morning after VE day. One of his great lifetime memories was being in Paris on VE Day. He was honorably discharged from the service as a Lt. Colonel in the US Army in 1946. Mr. Bates was predeceased by his wife Maggie, who died in 1986. He is survived by his son, Stewart Michael Bates and his wife, Kathleen, of North Andover; Victoria Anne Croll and her husband David, of Chestnut Hill; Jennifer Kenyon Loff of Wellesley; his grandchildren, Jessica Kenyon and Christina MacDougall Croll, Margaret Anne and Mackenzie Kathryn Loff, and Stewart Adam and Ian Michael Bates; as well as by six nieces and nephews, seven grand nieces and nephews and 20 great, great nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to the scholarship fund at Lake Delaware Boys' Camp, Lake Delaware, Delhi, New York 13753. J.S. Waterman & Sons & Waring Wellesley 781 235-4110