Fallon Francis Gately, aged 90, passed away peacefully, September 6, 2013, surrounded by his adoring family, at his home in Middleboro, Ma following a brief illness. Fallon was the loving son of the late James and Clotilda (Canavan) Gately, and loving brother to the late Geraldine Renaud and Sheldon Gately.
Fallon was a devoted father and husband to his wife of 63 years, Alice “Fonya” (Aseph) Gately and their four children; John “Jay” Gately and his wife Patricia of Middleboro, James Gately of Hanson, and the late Fallon Jr. and Thomas Gately. He is also survived by his loving nephew, Joseph Renaud of Taunton, Ma.
A native of Brockton, Ma, Fallon joined the United States Navy after attending Brockton schools and proudly served his country during WWII in the Pacific Theatre onboard the USS Bunker Hill (1942-1947). Following his honorable discharge from the service he became a loyal member of the Teamsters Local 653 and was employed, as a driver, by Andrews & Pierce Trucking of Abington until his retirement 30 years later.
Fallon was a born storyteller, happy by nature, and a kid at heart; he would spend hours entertaining his captive audience (usually his children, grandchildren, and many close friends, but also strangers) with stories from his time in the Navy or his seasons traveling and working on carnivals along the East Coast, a true passion that he enjoyed all throughout his life. Even the dullest of stories was enchanting when told by this most charming of men.
What brought the most joy to Fallon was time spent with his family, especially his wife Fonya, whom he lovingly referred to as his “bride” (and sometimes, with just as much love and a twinkle in his eye, “the warden”), and his eight grandchildren, Heather (Gately) Vardis of Chicago, Fonya (Gately) St. Onge of Raynham, Kristin, Matthew & Eric Gately of Middleboro, James Gately Jr. of Norwell, and Joseph Gately and Karin Butler of Hanson. Fallon would especially beam with pride when talking about his adoring great grandchildren, Erica, Blake, Foster, Jacob and Theo, and all of their accomplishments and adventures. They truly were the apple of his eye. A loving man that genuinely cared for others, Fallon is remembered fondly as “Grampy” by many other surrogate children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton on Monday 4-8 pm. The funeral procession will gather at the funeral home on Tuesday at 9:30am for a Funeral Mass in Christ the King Church at 10:30am. Burial with military honors in Calvary Cemetery. Please consider donations in Fallon’s name to Life Choice Hospice 123 Waterhouse Rd. Suite 5, Bourne, MA 02532.