Bernard Gates, 79, lost his courageous battle with Leukemia on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 6, 1939 and went on to serve in the United States Army including in the Vietnam War. Post military, Bernard retired from the Cleveland Police Department after 30 years of service and relocated to The Villages, Florida.
He is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth Ann Gates of 54 years; along with his five children, seven grandchildren, one brother, an aunt, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents (Ponce De Leon and Annabelle Gates); along with three brothers and two sisters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 20th at 10 AM, located at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 1351 Paige Pl, Lady Lake, FL 32159. The burial will be on Friday, February 22nd at 11 AM at Fort Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, FL.
All arrangements have been made by Hiers-Baxley Funeral and Cremation Life Event Center located at 3975 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL. A visitation will be held there on Tuesday, February 19th from 3-5 PM; including a prayer service starting at 4 PM. Online condolences may be sent to hiers-baxley.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Bernard Gates’ memory.
