Milford Gates

Milford Ernest Gates, 86, Seminole resident, died Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at Seminole Care and Rehabilation Center in Seminole. Mr. Gates was born March 4, 1923 in Wilton, Connecticut, to Rev. Myron James and Mary Edith (Tripp) Gates.rnrnMr. Gates moved to Warrensburg, New York as a child and spent most of his youth there. He joined the U.S. Army on February 3, 1943 in Albany, New York and served during World War II. During the war he served in the Asian Theater including New Guinea and the Philippines. He was a cook for the Officers in the Hospital Corps while in New Guinea. His twin Private Ervin Gates, was transferred to Milford's outfit where they were re-united. They were two of the four brothers serving overseas during World War II at the same time. Milford attained the rank of Tech 5 and served until Honorably discharged on January 31, 1946. He served with the 161st Station Hospital during the war.rnrnMilford spent most of his working career as a Industrial Painter, painting high capacity compressors. He started and was a long time employee with Clark Brothers in Olean, New York, at retirement he was working for Halliburton in Olean, New York. He retired in 1988. Milford loved fishing and watching his favorite baseball team the Boston Red Sox. Milford was also a participant in the life of the United Methodist Church.rnrnMr. Gates is survived by his twin brother Ervin Foster Gates of Seminole, Oklahoma., Brother Lewis Fredrick Gates of Livermore, California, two sisters, Ellouise Cynthia Oglesby, Pleasantville, Pa. and Rev. Alice Mary Godfrey of Clarendon, Pa. as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister Alda Mary and two brothers, James Henry Gates and Edgar Tripp Gates.rnrnServices are planned for 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Historic Strothers Chapel inside Maple Grove Cemetery with Rev. Gary Wilburn and Rev. Doyle Long officiating. Mr. Gates will be buried at Maple Grove Cemetery with Military honors.rnrnMessages of condolences may be made online at www.swearingenfuneralhome.comrnrnrn Funeral Information: June 5, 2009, 11:00 AM