Philip M. Gately

WESTERLY -- Philip M. Gately, devoted husband for 70 years of M. Joan (Fraser) Gately, of Elm Street, Westerly, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday April 28, 2024.

He was born in New York City, son of the late Philip J. and Juanita T. (Gransaull) Gately.  Phil grew up in Scarsdale NY and graduated from Iona Prep (1946) and Yale with a BS in Chemical Engineering Class of 1950 where several lifelong friendships began. 

Phil married the love of his life, Joan, on October 3, 1953, in St. Augustine's Church in Larchmont NY, and moved his family to Westerly in 1966 where he was employed for many years as Product Manager for Davis-Standard, travelling the globe as an international expert in plastics extrusion. 

Phil was a devoted parishioner of St. Pius X Church in Westerly, and had been active over the years with the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Rotary, and served as Chairman of the Society of Plastics Engineers Extrusion Division. 
In recent years he took an avid interest in genealogy and family history, rekindling warm friendships with relatives ranging from the West Indies to Europe and Canada. Phil loved music and a good joke.

Phil's greatest treasure was his loving wife Joan, with whom he was blessed to enjoy a long and happy retirement, whether they were reading, puttering around the family home on Lanphere Road or travelling together throughout the United States and overseas. 
His greatest joy was his family and he took special pride in their nine grandsons.  He is survived by his wife Joan; daughters, Susan, Sheila, and Margaret (husband Pat Carolan); son Michael; brother Jack; grandsons, Stephen, Chris, Geoff, Dan, Dave, Kevin, Keane, and Matthew; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  Phil was predeceased by his parents, son Philip John, and grandson Patrick.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Wednesday, June 5th at St. Pius X Church, 44 Elm St., Westerly. Burial will be private. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Phil's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com.