George E. Coates

Vestal NY- George Edward Coates, 95, died peacefully Sunday December 9th, 2018, surrounded by his family. He leaves his wife of 70 years, Betty (Robinson) Coates; son Marshall Coates and his wife Barbara of Dickerson Maryland, son Michael Coates and wife Michelle of Apalachin NY; three granddaughters; Julie Henry(Andrew); Emily Haus (Matthew Fundis); and Sophia Coates; four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Born and raised in Towanda, PA. the son of Roy and Fredericka (Mast) Coates.George proudly served in the US Marine Corps 1942-46 during WWII as an aviation navigator and tail gunner in the South Pacific Theater where he flew over 52 missions with the Ace of Spades Squadron He retired from the US Marine Corps after the war as a Staff Sargent.  He met his wife Betty in 1941.  They were married in 1948 in New Albany PA.  They moved to Binghamton NY where he worked at IBM for 33 years until 1982 when he retired. He volunteered for the American Red Cross for over 30 years as a disaster relief volunteer locally, California, Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and other natural disasters across the United States. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 89 for over 50 years.  He was a member of the United Calvary Methodist in Vestal NY.  As an avid fisher and hunter all his life he was the happiest spending time with his family and friends at his summer home in Chippewa Bay, Thousand Islands near Hammond NY. A viewing will held at Ernest H. Parson's Funeral Home 71 Main Street Binghamton NY on Saturday December 15 from 10:00 to 11:00 am followed by a funeral service with Reverend Michael Willis officiating. The private graveside service will be held in New Albany, PA at the convenience of the family In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vestal American Legion Post 89,118 S Jenson Rd, Vestal NY  13850. Please visit ParsonsFuneral.com to offer your condolences.

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