- Date Of Birth: April 3, 1936
- Date Of Death: June 11, 2007
- State: Connecticut
James W. Bates, 71, of Bristol, Ct., died Monday (June 11, 2007) at Ingraham Manor. He was the beloved husband of 50 years to Paulyne (Oakes) Bates, having been married on May 25, 1957 at St.
He was born April 3, 1936 in New Bedford, Mass., son of the late James W. Bates and the late Eleanor (Souza) Bates-Cross and step-son of the late Hugh T. Cross. Mr. Bates received his Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Boston University and his Masters Degree in Education from Central Connecticut State College. A resident of Bristol most of his life, he was a teacher in the Bristol School System for 35 years until his retirement in 1994. He was known as a standout athlete and coach. He was a longtime legendary coach for the Bristol American Legion baseball team from 1962 to 1971, having won 9 zone championships in 10 years and 3 state championships, amassing a record of 303 wins and 91 losses over that period. He later became the coach for the Bristol Eastern High School basketball team from 1975 to 1982, where they won 2 regional titles and made 1 state final appearance in 1981. He was very proud of his work with the Colt League summer baseball program and his years working with Bob Cousy at Cousy’s Summer Athletic Camp in New Hampshire. He was also inducted into the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
Besides his wife, Paulyne, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Ann Bates of Cheshire, Ct., and their children, Michael and Jordan; his daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Brad Jandreau of Plainville, Ct., and their children, Kayla and Marisa; he was pre-deceased by his daughter, Lori Bates-Fisher; he is also survived by his son-in-law, Mike Fisher of Scotland, Ct., and his children, Steven, Billy, Michael, and Christopher; and many cousins.
