David Edwin Bates, 82, of Clinton Twp, N.J., died Saturday, March 23, 2013 at home. He was born on November 14, 1930 in Calais, Maine. He lived in Massachusetts, New York, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but always loved his summers in East Boothbay, Maine, sailing on the waters of Linekin Bay.

He graduated from University of Maine with his bachelor's degree in business administration.  He loved all sports; excelled in baseball, and played for the Black Bears under head coach Harold (Tubby) Raymond, where he was one of the lead hitters in the 1953 season.

David was an Army veteran, serving as a 1st Lieutenant in the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky from 1953-1955.

David was an entrepreneur and had many businesses involving the manufacturing of metals and plastics.

He was a member of the Bates Association in Maine, Cohassett Historical Society in Massachusetts and the University of Maine Alumni Association. His biggest passion in the past six years was his family genealogy; he self-published two journals of his Bates family history.

David was the son of the late Jerome and Gladys Jackson Bates.

He leaves behind, in addition to his wife of 12 years, Jean Chamberlain Bates; his daughter, Elena Hooley and her husband, Tom, of East Petersburg, Pa.; his son, Marshall Bates and his wife, Karen, of Reading, Pa.; Marion E. Bates, mother of his children; one stepson, Joseph Kurtz of Metuchen, N.J.; one step-daughter, Renee Sullivan and her husband Robert of West Keansburg, N.J.; six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bates Association c/o Sandy Bates, 222 Line Road, Greene, ME 04236.