Daniel J. Bates, Sr., a Medford businessman and community leader died early Wednesday morning at the Youville Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was 81.

Mr. Bates was raised in Medford the son of the late Mark J. and the late Catherine (Ahearn) Bates. Dan graduated from Saint Joseph School and Medford Vocational High School. He served in the Navy during World War II. Upon his return from wartime duty he served with the Navy Reserve for another five years while working as a finish carpenter and interior decorator with A. L. Bellans Co. In the late 1950’s he entered the insurance field and worked with Metropolitan Insurance. 31 years ago he opened his own agency in Medford, the Daniel J. Bates Insurance Agency. The father of a large and active family, Dan was himself very active in civic affairs, where he let his business acumen and leadership skills serve the people of his community. A past member of the VFW and American Legion, Dan was also a board member and past treasurer of the Irish American Club. He was a member of the Saint James Holy Name Society, the Medford Elks Lodge and was a member of the Board of Incorporators at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was a founding member of the Wellington-Glenwood Little League, was a member of the Mystic- Wellington Yacht Club and served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, teaching children the basics of boat safety. A member of the Medford Chamber of Commerce, Dan served as president and was honored by the community as Citizen of the Year.He was a long-tome and very active member of the Medford Kiwanis club and served as predident. Dan was a Member of the Arlington Retired Men’s Club and the Singing Grandpops.

He was the beloved husband of Catherine (Mulcahy) Bates. He was a devoted father to William H. Bates and his wife Phyllis of MD, Daniel J. Bates, Jr. and his wife Denise of Medford, Robert K. Bates and his wife Sandra of Malden, Maureen Howe and her husband Robert of Medford, Mark Bates and his wife Kathy of Medford, Brian P. Bates and his wife Joan of Medford, Denise Guarino and her husband Gerald of Woburn, Andrea Bates of Medford, Pamela Bates of Medford, Kim Pease and her husband Robert of Billerica. He was a loving grandfather to Michelle, Daniel, Michael, Kelly, Shawn, Kevin, Robert, Craig, Danielle, Colleen, Melissa, Mark, Brian, Holli, Alicia, Mikaela, and Lillian. He was a loving great-grandfather to Amanda, Robert, Jared and Aidan. He was a dear brother to Marie Conway, Eileen Egan, John Bates, Catherine Twoomey, Margaret Gray, James Bates, Jean Willett, the late Robert and Mark Bates.

His Funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Monday at 8 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford, at 9 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family Saturday and Sunday 4 – 8 PM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions be made in Dan’s name to St. Joseph Church, 118 High St. Medford, MA 02155.