Frederick J. Bate Jr.

WEST CORNWALL — Frederick J. Bate Jr., 92, of West Cornwall Road, died Oct. 25, 2011, at Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in North Canaan. He was the husband of the late Doris (Broe) Bate.Mr. Bate was born Feb. 7, 1919, in North Canaan, the son of the late Helen (Rhodes) and Frederick Bate. He was a 1937 graduate of Canaan High School. He was a World War II veteran and was a specialty cook at Camp Crowder, Mo. He owned and ran F.J. Bate Meat Market in West Cornwall for many years. He served as a volunteer fireman and EMT with the Cornwall Fire Department and Ambulance, and was a past fire chief and rescue chief. He was a past selectman with the town of Cornwall and a longtime member of the Cornwall Democratic Town Committee. He also was a member of the Montgomery Masonic Lodge and a longtime reading volunteer for the Cornwall Consolidated School.He is survived by a daughter, Susan Williamson and two sons, Frederick Bate III and James R. Bate, all of Cornwall; a sister, Frances Bate Wood; six grandchildren, Alexander Bate and John Bate of North Canaan, Cale Williamson of West Cornwall, and Jessie, Josh and Samantha Bate of West Cornwall; a great-grandson, Nicholas; and two nieces and two nephews.A graveside service will be celebrated on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Cornwall Cemetery with full military honors.Memorial contributions may be made to the Gary Hepprich Scholarship Fund, care of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department.The Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon has charge of arrangements.

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