Mr. Addison Holland Bates, who owned Bates Men's Shop at 316 Main St. for 28 years, passed away on June 3, 1971, at Fairview Hospital at the age of 89.
Born in Barre, VT, on Jan. 7, 1888, and affectionately known as Batesy, he was the son of George E. and Mary (Holland) Bates. Bates attended Tufts University and later worked as a salesman for Brown-Durrell Co. of Boston. His career took him through Boston and Connecticut before he settled on Prospect Street, Great Barrington, MA, in 1942.
During this time, Mr. Bates joined forces with Gordon P. Ogden, establishing the clothing store Ogden-Bates which was located on Main Street in Great Barrington.
A dapper man, in 1945, he met Henrietta "Henny" Grant, and despite a 20-year age gap, they fell in love. She was 37, her 1st marriage, and he was 57, his 2nd marriage. Over the next 26 years of their marriage, the age difference became inconsequential. Both stylish in attire and sharing common interests. They never had children.
In 1957, Batesy and Gordon amicably split their business endeavor, and the shop became Bates' Men's Shop. Aside from his wife Henny, this store was his life. He loved running it and making it customer oriented. He spent countless hours in the store. "The customer always comes first" he would say. He especially loved his hat collection and had them proudly displayed for sale.
Batesy was an avid golfer. He took a couple of golfing trips to Florida with buddies and his wife Henny "held down the fort" at the men's shop.
When Batesy retired in March 1970, it transformed into Jack's Country Squire.
Beyond his business pursuits, Batesy was known as an avid sports fan, particularly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about baseball. A veteran of World War I, he belonged to the 23rd Engineers, Company K, and the James F. Modolo post, VFW in Gt. Barrington. He was also a member of Cincinnatus Lodge, AF & AM, the Wyantenuck Country Club, and an honorary member of the Rotary Club, attending the First Congregational Church.
Preceded in death by his parents, sister Kathrine (Bates) Haddock, first wife Bessie Louise (Blake) Bates, and adopted daughter Elaine Grace (Watson Bates) Brown, Batesy is survived by his wife of 26 years, Henrietta (Grant) Bates, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Services took place on Monday at 2 at the First Congregational Church, with calling hours at the Stevens Funeral Home on Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the memorial fund of the First Congregational Church.
Mr. Addison Holland Bates, who owned Bates Men's Shop at 316 Main St. for 28 years, passed away on June 3, 1971, at Fairview Hospital at the age of 89.
Born in Barre, VT, on Jan. 7, 1888, and affectionately known as Batesy, he was the son of George E. and Mary (Holland) Bates. Bates attended Tufts University and later worked as a salesman for Brown-Durrell Co. of Boston. His career took him through Boston and Connecticut before he settled on Prospect Street, Great Barrington, MA, in 1942.
During this time, Mr. Bates joined forces with Gordon P. Ogden, establishing the clothing store Ogden-Bates which was located on Main Street in Great Barrington.
A dapper man, in 1945, he met Henrietta "Henny" Grant, and despite a 20-year age gap, they fell in love. She was 37, her 1st marriage, and he was 57, his 2nd marriage. Over the next 26 years of their marriage, the age difference became inconsequential. Both stylish in attire and sharing common interests. They never had children.
In 1957, Batesy and Gordon amicably split their business endeavor, and the shop became Bates' Men's Shop. Aside from his wife Henny, this store was his life. He loved running it and making it customer oriented. He spent countless hours in the store. "The customer always comes first" he would say. He especially loved his hat collection and had them proudly displayed for sale.
Batesy was an avid golfer. He took a couple of golfing trips to Florida with buddies and his wife Henny "held down the fort" at the men's shop.
When Batesy retired in March 1970, it transformed into Jack's Country Squire.
Beyond his business pursuits, Batesy was known as an avid sports fan, particularly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about baseball. A veteran of World War I, he belonged to the 23rd Engineers, Company K, and the James F. Modolo post, VFW in Gt. Barrington. He was also a member of Cincinnatus Lodge, AF & AM, the Wyantenuck Country Club, and an honorary member of the Rotary Club, attending the First Congregational Church.
Preceded in death by his parents, sister Kathrine (Bates) Haddock, first wife Bessie Louise (Blake) Bates, and adopted daughter Elaine Grace (Watson Bates) Brown, Batesy is survived by his wife of 26 years, Henrietta (Grant) Bates, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Services took place on Monday at 2 at the First Congregational Church, with calling hours at the Stevens Funeral Home on Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the memorial fund of the First Congregational Church.
