Obituary of Roger Covell Gates

Roger Covell Gates, age 92, passed away peacefully at Indiana Regional Medical Center in Indiana, PA, on August 17, 2026.

He was born on February 24, 1934, in Utica, NY, the son of Rev. Edmund Jayne Gates and Marjorie Covell (Coley) Gates. He graduated from DeVeaux Episcopal Military Academy in Niagara Falls, NY and Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. He served as a Chaplain’s Assistant in the US Army and married his wife, Evangeline (Jill) Senior Gates, on June 14, 1958. They shared 61 years together before her death in 2019.

Roger worked in sales for most of his life, selling office furniture for Pfleeger’s in Utica NY, textbooks for Laidlaw Brothers, and finally, electronics components, first for Rome Electronics and later through his own firm, Advantage Associates. He loved meeting people and being active in the community. He participated and held offices in the Clinton Jaycees, Rotary, Clinton Kiwanis Club, and the Limestone Creek Hunt. He was also a 4-H leader for many years and was an active member of the Utica Curling Club. In later years, he was often seen driving dignitaries in local parades in his bright red VW convertible. He enjoyed eating with friends at Alteri’s in Clinton and Michael T’s in New Hartford and watching westerns and war movies on TV.

He is survived by daughters, Holly (Gary) Travis, of Punxsutawney, PA and Julia (Richard) Cunningham, of Hinsdale, NH; “adopted daughter” Kelly (Dale) Jewell of Verona, NY; sister-in law Mary Clyne, of Mohawk, NY; granddaughter Brandy Manners; great-grandsons, Owen and Noah, of Punxsutawney, PA; and several nieces and nephews. He will be remembered by many friends in the community and beyond. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, David Huntington Gates, Edmund Jayne Gates, Jr. and Stephen Coley Gates; sisters, Barbara (Gates) Pattison, Mary Huntington Gates, and Catharine Gates Miller; a granddaughter, Ashley Anne Cunningham; and a sister-in-law Rebecca Kilts.

A graveside service will be held at 1pm Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Kirkland Prospect Hill Cemetery, Clinton, NY.