Delivan “Augie” W. Gates, 83, of Vestal passed away unexpectedly at Binghamton General Hospital on October 21, 2017. He was the owner of Broome Bituminous Products of Vestal, NY. He was predeceased by his parents Delivan and Lela Gates and niece Gail Marie Hughey. He is survived by a large and loving family: especially by his beloved wife and the love of his life for 60 years, Helen; by his five beloved children, Seana Gates of Denver Colorado, Michael and Mary Jo Gates of Cincinnati, Ohio, Christopher and Cheryl Gates of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Daniel and Karen Gates of Vestal NY and KellyAnne Gates of Vestal NY. Augie will be greatly missed by his 10 grandchildren : Christine and (Sean Brinkman) Gates, Elizabeth Gates and Matthew Gates of Ohio. Brent and (Olga), Christian and Benjamin Gates of Virginia. Erika, Lauren, Carlyne, and Natalie Gates of Vestal. Four great grandchildren: SJ and Rogan Brinkman and Brooklyn and Alex Gates. He is survived by his sister, Marlene Lum of Watkins Glen. His sister-in-law Pat Ellison and (Honorable William Ellison, deceased), brother-in-law Harry Suits and (Josie, deceased), brother-in-law Frank Suits and Elizabeth Suits, and brother-in-law (THE William “Bill” John Suits deceased), and by many nieces and nephews. Augie was a graduate of Watkins Glen High School where he excelled in many athletics. He graduated from Hobart College in 1956 where he played lacrosse and football. He served his nation proudly as a U.S. Marine Corp Captain for 5 years, where he and Helen started their family at Camp Lejeune North Carolina. He then worked as an Engineer for the Rochester Phone Company in Geneseo, NY. In 1964 they moved to Vestal. Augie was a member of the Watkins Glen Elks Club and a past president of the Vestal Kiwanis Club. He served as president of the Geneganslet Lake Association and was a former board member of the NYS Asphalt Pavement Association. Augie was an early Director of the Vestal Youth Football league, a Vestal Recreation board member and served on the Vestal planning board for many years. Augie belonged to Our Lady of Sorrows Church for 52 years, where he served as an Usher with many of his close friends. Augie worked in the Asphalt Industry for over 5 decades and was very proud of his work, including starting and running his own business, Broome Bituminous Products, for the past 30 years. Augie was an avid golfer and tennis player and enjoyed playing throughout the Winter months in Stuart, Florida. He loved spending his Summers at Geneganslet Lake with his family, fishing and boating. He left behind many dear friends from both Watkins Glen, Florida and Vestal. The family wishes to thank those who were by his side these last several months, especially his dear friend Kenny Karoglanian. Augie was a loving husband and father who was proud of his family. He was a generous man who regularly supported local youth sports. Augie was a man of honor and integrity who will be greatly missed by his family, friends and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 am Thursday, October, 26 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. 801 Main Street, Vestal NY. The family will receive friends Wednesday October 25, 2017 from 4 to 7 pm at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott. Burial will be Friday, October 27, at 11:30 am in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Watkins Glen, NY. In Lieu of flowers a donation in his memory can be made to the Our Lady of Sorrows Food Pantry, 801 Main Street, Vestal NY, 13850.