Edward G. Bates Jr, 90 of West Dennis, MA, formerly of Ashland passed away Thursday Mar. 13th at home with his family by his side.  Born in Hartford, CT, he was the son of the late Edward and Kathleen (Sears) Bates and husband of Barbara (Reid) Bates.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Edward Bates III and his wife Karen, Gary Bates and his wife Colleen, and Wayne Bates and his wife Kathy;

Grandchildren Aidan, Ronan, Finn, Josh, Amanda, Angela, Tiffaney and Victoria; and 8 great grandchildren.

Predeceased by his younger brothers Kenneth, Douglas, and Donald.

Ed was a driven person who had several jobs at a young age including working on a milk truck, delivering newspapers, as a grocery store clerk and in a clothing store.  During his early years, he was very active in the Boy Scouts reaching the level of a Life scout, was active in his church youth group. and developed hobbies in the areas of coins, stamps, trains and rock collecting.

Ed met Barbara in the fifth grade, where they lived in same neighborhood and became a couple in high school.  Immediately after high school, Ed served his country honorably in the Army from 1954-56, during which Barbara wrote him each and every day.  Returning from the service in July of 1956, they married in September and started an amazing life together.

Utilizing the GI bill and working part-time, Ed achieved a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from UConn, started a family in Manchester, CT and a career in urban planning at the Connecticut Dept of Transportation.

While raising a family of 3 boys, Ed actively continued his education achieving 2 master's degrees from Boston University and advancing his career in urban planning to the role of Deputy Director at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, until his retirement in 1997.

Throughout his adult life, Ed was involved in a range of community organizations.  In CT, he was active in the Manchester Jaycees, and utilized his passion for rocks and minerals as an educator at the Lutz Children's Museum.  After the family's move to Ashland, Ed served the community in several roles including the board of selectmen, town charter committee, trimount committee, and as a tireless advocate for the Pond Street corridor project.

As a dedicated husband, father and man of faith, Ed attended Faith Community Church for Sunday services and prayer group meetings. Ed never missed a kid's sporting event and actively volunteered for a wide range of youth programs.

In his spare time, Ed enjoyed woodworking, gardening, traveling, coin and stamp collecting, model trains, and bass river boat rides.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 20th at 11:00am in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. Ashland, MA with burial to follow in Wildwood Cemetery in Ashland.  Visiting hours will be held Wed. from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Matarese Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Edward's name to the American Heart Association or Alzheimer's Research