Beloved Bergen County Teacher And Coach 'Mr. Bate' Dies

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — An Army veteran who went on to teach generations of Bergen County students has died.

George Bate, 91, of Fair Lawn, died on Oct. 25, his obituary says. He graduated from Fair Lawn High School and Montclair State Teachers College, then played in the U.S. Army band as a trombonist.

He taught at Euclid School in Hasbrouck Heights, "where his hands-on lessons brought learning to life," notes the obituary. He also served as a track official, coached cross-country, and volunteered in Fair Lawn in so many ways that the town honored him and his wife with “Patricia and George Bate Day.”

His obit advises friends to honor him by "spending time in nature, making memories with a loved one, whistling a happy tune, dancing with confidence and joy, buying someone an ice cream cone, or just making someone’s day a little brighter with an unexpected act of kindness." His obituary is here.