Floyd A. Gates
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Floyd A. Gates, 87, a resident of Plaistow for most of his life, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday December 22, 2020, with his loving and devoted wife by his side.
Born in Haverhill, son of the late Austin and Grace (Haigh) Gates, he was raised in Plaistow, attending the Pollard School, and was a member of the Haverhill Trade School Class of 1952.
Following his marriage to Shirley M. Fitts, in 1952, they moved to East Hampstead for several years. He served in the U.S. Army from March of 1953 until November of 1954, and was honorably discharged as a corporal and was a recipient of the Army of Occupation Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Gates operated Gates garage for ten years beginning in 1954 and was the last surviving member of the group of men that established and built the East Hampstead Fire Station. He later worked as a mechanic at the former Trottier Chevrolet, Park-Hegarty Audi and Volswagen, and Jaffarian Volvo.
Mr. Gates returned to reside in Plaistow in 1960 and in 1970 he established Gates Foreign Auto Parts and operated the business until 1982. Deeply involved in Mini Stock Car racing, he served as the President of the Mini Stock Car Racing Association from 1978 until 1982. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Plaistow and a former member of the Am Vets Post 147 of Haverhill and the Carl Davis Post of the American Legion of Plaistow. He enjoyed woodworking, antique car shows and anything mechanical to do with vehicles.
Predeceased in 1982 by his daughter Catherine N. Gates, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of sixty-eight years, Shirley M. (Fitts) Gates, two sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne D. and Laura Gates and Andrew S. and Melissa Gates, all of Plaistow, a daughter Linda A. Hohensee of Alexandria VA, six grandchildren; Heath Hohensee and his wife Rebecca, Cassandra Hohensee, Janna (Hohensee) Thompson and her husband Cody, Marie Hohensee, Jeffrey Gates and his wife Chelsea, and Jennifer (Gates) Baker and her husband Josh, six great grandchildren; Khloe Hohensee, Tess Hohensee, Levi Hohensee, Grace Baker , Hudson Gates and Mack Gates.
A celebration of Mr. Gates' life will be held during the family bonfire during the late spring or summer. Arrangements are under the direction of Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit www.brooksidechapelfh.com.