Charles Bates, 53, of Solomons, Maryland, died suddenly on September 24, 2015 while in Belize. Chuck died while in that country temporarily helping to manage a friend’s restaurant while she was out of the country. It brings great solace to the family and friends of Chuck to know that he passed away yards from the ocean he loved and while helping a friend. Helping friends and family and putting others before himself, will be his lasting legacy. He was selfless nearly to a fault.
Chuck was born June 19,1961 in Penn Yan,New York to the late Charles Bates,Sr and Patricia (Bailey) Bates. Soon after he and his sister Brenda were born, the family moved to Troy,Pa where Chuck graduated from high school in 1980. Chuck was a gifted athlete in all sports, especially baseball. He was an all-star catcher for the Troy Trojans for all four years at Troy.
After high school, Chuck moved to the Pocono Mountain area of Stroudsburg,Pa. He began his career in restaurant management there. He loved the area so much and made many lasting friendships there. In later years, Chuck would host several gatherings in the Poconos’s where family and friends would get together for reunions. Those were the moments he most treasured and so did we.
Chuck spent the remaining years of his life in Calvert County, Maryland. He continued his career in management at Ruby Tuesday restaurant, where he worked for over 15 years. He was eventually promoted to general manager and for several years ran the store in California, Maryland. He loved this restaurant and all he met through that position. He was known as a “tough” boss with very high expectations. He was also known as a person who cared deeply for those who worked there, and he would do anything for them.
When not working, Chuck enjoyed golf and hanging out with his friends. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steeler and Alabama Crimson Tide fan (“ROLL TIDE”). He hosted many super bowl parties and took friends to Pittsburgh several times for games. He loved that city and was so proud to take people with him to the stadium.
Chesapeake Hills Golf Course was his home course and he “lived” there when he had free time. He also worked there part time for over 10 years. He made so many friends there and it became his second family.
Chuck will also be remembered for his obsession with Jimmy Buffet! His goal was to go to the concert every year and to take as many friends as he could fit in a limo, or even a BUS on one occasion!! Those were the moments Chuck lived for.
Chuck will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his sister Brenda Bates of Abington, Pa, brothers Craig Bates(Shelly) of South Royleston, MA and Christopher Bates of Solomons,MD. He is also survived by many loving cousins and great friends he cherished so much. Debbie Ayres Hickok of Troy, Pa was his most treasured friend and confidant for over 40 years and is a special friend of the family. She was his rock, his “go to” friend when he felt he had no one else to turn to. He would always know Deb was there. Thank you Deb and we love you.
A memorial service for Chuck will be held at the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course on October 17,2015 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Chuck Bates Memorial Fund, care of Deb Hickok. The funds will be used for a memorial bench at Alparon Park, in Troy, Pa, where Chuck got his start in baseball.