Marc ‘Skip’ Bates
BROOKLYN —Marc “Skip” Bates, 69, of Brooklyn, CT passed away peacefully at home on May 3, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born on Aug. 1, 1955, Skip was a proud graduate of Putnam High School, Class of 1973, and went on to earn his degree from American International College in Springfield, Mass., in 1977. During his college years, he worked at Sunnyside Farms alongside Peter Deary and the Deary family —an experience he treasured.
Skip dedicated more than 40 years of his professional life to Colt’s Plastic Company, Inc. in Dayville, where his work ethic and loyalty left a lasting mark. In retirement, Skip worked at Country Living at Westview Commons, where he found great joy in providing transportation to residents for various errands and outings.
Beyond his career, Skip was deeply involved in his community and in the organizations he loved. He was a lifetime member and treasurer of the Pomfret Rod and Gun Club, a devoted Chaplain for the Christian Motorcycle Association, and served as President of the Northeast Connecticut Human Resources Association.
Of his many passions, Skip was most at home cruising the hills of northeastern Connecticut with Tori on the back and his friends by his side. He was also a licensed pilot, a skilled skeet shooter, and an avid gun collector.
Skip is predeceased by his parents, Bob and Ruth Bates. He leaves his wife, Victoria “Tori” Bates; his brothers Michael (Denise) Bates and Alan (Janet) Bates; five children, Brittany (Chris) Yule, Ryan Bates, Glenn (Wendy) Bates from his first marriage to Erica Bates and Ross (Katie) Adams, and Lindsey (Dylan) Weigand from his marriage to Tori. He also leaves 13 grandchildren to whom he was lovingly and affectionately known as Poppy Skip; plus nieces, nephews, family members and great friends.
The Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. May 10 at the Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main St., Putnam. Donations: The Cancer Center at UMass Memorial Health - Harrington, 55 Sayles St., Southbridge, MA 01550; Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut, 415 Riverside Drive, Suite 3, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255; or the Congregational Church of Putnam Faith Fellowship, P.O. Box 463, Putnam, CT 06260.

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