1934
Laurence
2023
Laurence R Gates
November 23, 1934 — February 8, 2023
Laurence R. Gates, formerly of Lancaster and Manchester, New Hampshire died on February 8, 2023 at the age of 88. Larry was a resident of the Havenwood Heritage Heights Senior Community when he passed away.
Larry was born on November 23, 1934 to John Randall Gates and Charlotte Ann (Lafayette) Gates. He grew up in Harvard, Massachusetts and graduated from the Bromfield School in 1952. His senior year was marked by a tragic car accident which left him permanently blind in one eye and in a coma for three months. Larry eventually recovered and attended Northeastern University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Advertising in 1957. Larry’s first job was at Eder Johnson’s Bicycles and Shotguns in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and then later at Blake
Manufacturing in Clinton where Rayovac batteries were made. While working for a small Defense Department facility in Harvard, Larry was introduced to his father’s friend, Don Haskell, who eventually persuaded Larry to apply for a job at New Hampshire Insurance. Larry found his calling in the insurance industry, working nearly his entire career for the New Hampshire Insurance Group, and later American International Group as a Casualty and Property Insurance Underwriting expert.
Larry met Jean Estelle Wheaton at the Leominster (MA) Dance Hall in 1957, and they were married in 1958. They danced through life together for 58 years raising three sons and one daughter. Through these years, Larry’s career took the family to Manchester, New Hampshire, Jacksonville, Florida, Easthampton, Massachusetts and Dudley, Massachusetts. Larry and Jean had an active social life through bowling and Cribbage Tournaments and later, plenty of travelling after retirement. Larry’s main hobby through all these years remained beekeeping which he developed as an interest from when he was ten years old. Past president of both the Pawtuckaway Beekeeper’s Association and later, the Coos County Beekeepers, he delighted in teaching his hobby to anyone with an interest. For many years Larry could be found at the Lancaster Fair with his observation hive. He was a member of the Masonic Washington Lodge #61 in Webster, Massachusetts and the North Star Lodge #8 in Lancaster, New Hampshire where he was a past Worshiper Master (Lodge President).
Larry was preceded in death by Jean on October 13th, 2016 and by his eldest son, Laurence Daniel, on April 12, 2019. He is survived by sons Randall Keith (Lou McLaren) of North Ferrisburgh, Vermont; William Charles (Carla Gates) of Amherst, New Hampshire; and daughter Reana Lois Constanzer (Mike) of Telford, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his brother, Jonathan Hubert Gates (Linda) of Canton, Georgia. Larry and Jean had eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A private family service will be held sometime in the Spring. Bill, Reana and Randy ask that any memorial gifts be sent to BAYADA Hospice, 194 Pleasant Street; Suite 9; Concord, New Hampshire 03301.
Larry was born on November 23, 1934 to John Randall Gates and Charlotte Ann (Lafayette) Gates. He grew up in Harvard, Massachusetts and graduated from the Bromfield School in 1952. His senior year was marked by a tragic car accident which left him permanently blind in one eye and in a coma for three months. Larry eventually recovered and attended Northeastern University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Advertising in 1957. Larry’s first job was at Eder Johnson’s Bicycles and Shotguns in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and then later at Blake
Manufacturing in Clinton where Rayovac batteries were made. While working for a small Defense Department facility in Harvard, Larry was introduced to his father’s friend, Don Haskell, who eventually persuaded Larry to apply for a job at New Hampshire Insurance. Larry found his calling in the insurance industry, working nearly his entire career for the New Hampshire Insurance Group, and later American International Group as a Casualty and Property Insurance Underwriting expert.
Larry met Jean Estelle Wheaton at the Leominster (MA) Dance Hall in 1957, and they were married in 1958. They danced through life together for 58 years raising three sons and one daughter. Through these years, Larry’s career took the family to Manchester, New Hampshire, Jacksonville, Florida, Easthampton, Massachusetts and Dudley, Massachusetts. Larry and Jean had an active social life through bowling and Cribbage Tournaments and later, plenty of travelling after retirement. Larry’s main hobby through all these years remained beekeeping which he developed as an interest from when he was ten years old. Past president of both the Pawtuckaway Beekeeper’s Association and later, the Coos County Beekeepers, he delighted in teaching his hobby to anyone with an interest. For many years Larry could be found at the Lancaster Fair with his observation hive. He was a member of the Masonic Washington Lodge #61 in Webster, Massachusetts and the North Star Lodge #8 in Lancaster, New Hampshire where he was a past Worshiper Master (Lodge President).
Larry was preceded in death by Jean on October 13th, 2016 and by his eldest son, Laurence Daniel, on April 12, 2019. He is survived by sons Randall Keith (Lou McLaren) of North Ferrisburgh, Vermont; William Charles (Carla Gates) of Amherst, New Hampshire; and daughter Reana Lois Constanzer (Mike) of Telford, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his brother, Jonathan Hubert Gates (Linda) of Canton, Georgia. Larry and Jean had eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A private family service will be held sometime in the Spring. Bill, Reana and Randy ask that any memorial gifts be sent to BAYADA Hospice, 194 Pleasant Street; Suite 9; Concord, New Hampshire 03301.
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