Obituary: Christopher John Bates, 32, Of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Christopher John Bates, 32, of Wallingford, died Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 at Yale New Haven Hospital. Chris had also resided in Florida as a full-time live aboard on his 36' sailboat.

Chris was born on Jan. 2, 1990, son of Steven F. and Betsey M. (Hall) Bates. In addition to his parents, Chris is survived by his brother Brian Bates and sister-in-law Lauren Marin Bates. Chris also leaves a beloved Meme, Nancy J. Hall, aunts, uncles, cousins, and some very dedicated friends. Christopher also had two furry loves, his new puppy Mako who will grow up playing with Brian and Lauren's Maya.

Chris was the first Wallingford student to attend and graduate with honors from the Sound School, a regional aquaculture high school located in New Haven. He knew early on that the traditional life plan wasn't his style and by his middle school years decided that the opportunities at that school should be available for those who had a passion for our Earth's waters, as he did and worked with the school boards from Wallingford and New Haven to make this happen for not just himself but others who shared his vocational hopes.

Christopher was on a sail boat before his birth, at the tiller by 18 months old and developed a love for sailing that led him on adventures most of us only get to dream of. A few of those adventures were best shared once he was safely back on land! Chris lived his passion and loved all of what being at one with the sea brought him.

Chris earned an associate degree in Small Vessel Operations and a bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation from Maine Maritime Academy. Captain Christopher Bates held a Coast Guard 100-ton Masters License and 1600 ton Mate License with numerous endorsements.

Just prior to his illness, Chris worked diligently for Mohawk Northeast on tugs which was his chosen vessel in his industry, having worked since age 15 in boatyards, Alaskan Waters, the Mississippi river into the Gulf of Mexico and along the entire Eastern Seaboard doing anything asked of him including being a deckie, an engineer, laborer, barge work, supply vessel deck officer, in the wheelhouse and even as a Master Chef on any boat or anyone's home. Give Chris Bates a task and consider it done.

His family will celebrate his life beginning at The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., on Saturday, Feb. 19 from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. A Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Wallingford. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to: The Sister’s Project (www.thesistersproject.org) P.O. Box 1643, Wallingford, CT 06492. The Sister's Project is a local nonprofit dedicated solely to using 100 percent of donations to help support local residents who are battling cancer.

Sail on Christopher John. Fair winds and following seas.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.