Farmington: At age 78, Jim passed away peacefully at AdventHealth in Kissimmee FL on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, after a years long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born to the late Myron and Emily (Osmond) Gates on March 1, 1946, in Liverpool NY, Jim was pre-deceased by sisters Judith (Clarence) Massie of Springfield OH, and Martha (Walt) Nels of Liverpool NY. Survived by his beloved partner of 30 and wife of 15 years, Karen Jo Flood Gates, along with his daughters, Julie E. (Brian) Rockefeller, and Sarah C. (Tim) Wesgate, his grandchildren, Carter Rockefeller, Elizabeth Rockefeller, Anna Wesgate, McKenzie Wesgate and Finnegan Wesgate, his brother, Don (Freida) Gates, and several loving nieces, nephews, friends, and family.
Jim graduated high school in Liverpool NY, served in the US Army in Arizona, and earned 2 master’s degrees from RIT in Rochester NY. After working as a computer programmer / business and systems analyst in the food and clothing industries including Curtice-Burns, and Champion Products-Hanes-Sarah Lee, Jim retired in 2008 from Seneca Foods in Marion NY.
Residing in Farmington NY, during late spring to fall with his wife and pets, Jim wintered in Kissimmee FL where he enjoyed sharing time with family and friends for gatherings, sightseeing, cruising, warmth, and sunshine.
A Graveside Service and celebration of life will be scheduled for early summer at Richmond Center Cemetery in Richmond, NY. To share a memory or a condolence, please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Jim will always be missed and I’m sure he left a huge gap among the people who loved him but Jim is no longer in pain no more forgetting, he’s now the person he was before all this started, he closed his eyes here and opened them to a new life..a new beginning free of what held him back..he’s with God. So tho the loss hurts for us, for Jim life is just beginning. R.I.P Jim…Dear Friend!