Raymond Bates

Frankfort - Mr. Raymond Bates, 61, of 103 Palmer St. passed away Sunday, September 21, 2014 in Mohawk Valley Health Care Center with his family by his side. He was born in Utica on July 7, 1953, the son of Ernest and the late Jane Williams Bates and he attended Utica schools. He served during the Vietnam War in the US Navy from October 21, 1971 until his Honorable Discharge on September 19, 1974. He was married to Josephine Di Gristina on June 5, 1982 in St. Mary's Church. Raymond was at one time employed in the Shipping and Receiving department of Griffiss Air Force Base and later at Ft. Drum. He was also employed in Shipping and Receiving for Union Tools, Frankfort for many years. He was a member of American Legion Post #1113, Whitesboro and was a communicant of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church. He was an avid golfer and belonged to a league at Sauquoit Knolls, he enjoyed fishing, bowling and music and played softball for the Muny League and O'Scugnizzo's Pizza League. Raymond is survived by his beloved wife, Josephine Bates of Frankfort; one daughter and son in law, Melissa and Rocco Fernalld of Utica and his beloved grandson, Rocco Anthony Fernalld; his father, Ernest Bates of New York Mills; two brothers and one sister in law, John Bates and Mark and Laurie Bates, all of Utica; one sister and brother in law, Pam and William LaRock of Utica; his mother in law, Josephine Di Gristina of Frankfort; his in laws, Elaine and Darrel Moore of Herkimer, his beloved Canine, Nico and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, Jane Bates, one brother, Paul Bates, one sister, Lucille Marriott and his father in law, Rosario "Chuck" Di Gristina. His funeral will be held Thursday at 1:30 PM from the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc., 203 Second Ave. Frankfort and at 2:00 PM in Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Paul Catena. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday evening from 4-8 at V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Raymond's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com