Thomas Bates

Thomas H. Bates, 83 of Caldwell passed away on March 23, 2017.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Ave. Caldwell on Monday at 11 AM. Interment will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery. Visitation is at the Galante Funeral Home, 54 Roseland Ave. Caldwell on Sunday from 1-5 PM.

Born in Montclair, Thomas lived in Livingston before becoming a longtime Caldwell resident. After graduating from Caldwell High School in 1951, Thomas served in the Army as a military policeman in Germany, and was later honorably discharged as a disabled veteran. Mr. Bates then worked as a real estate agent and a home inspector in the West Essex area before becoming a municipal employee for the Borough of Caldwell for 15 years, retiring 18 years ago.

Mr. Bates' lifelong passion was serving as a fireman. Joining the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department in 1960, Thomas was the eldest active member. Held in high regard among his peers, some of Tommy's many accomplishments include being a Chaplain, Honorary Fire Chief and past-president of the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association. He was a life member of the NJ State Fireman's Association, and was honored in 2001 as the Grand Marshal in the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department.

Thomas was the beloved husband of Claire (nee Schilling); loving father of Beth Ann Bates, Rosemary Bates-Pierone and her husband Matthew, and Jennifer Bates; and grandfather of Dean Vincent, Sophie Rae and Isabel Marie. Thomas was also the brother of the late John, George and Edward Bates.