Dale J. Cates, Sr., 70, of Wallingford, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2015 at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford. He was the beloved husband of 47 years to M. Christina Lachance Cates.  Dale was born in Oakfield, Maine on March 19, 1945; son of the late Earl and Lila Crane Cates; served his country faithfully in the US Army during the Vietnam era and had worked for the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Maintenance for 36 years until his retirement.  Dale enjoyed camping and was a civil war buff.  Father of Dale J. (Dara) Cates, Jr., Heather (Michael Schweikert) Cates and Jeffrey M. (Karen Kowalczyk) Cates.  Grandfather of Caroline Sirico and Natalia Cates.  Brother of James and Leonard Cates, and the late Doris Cates.

 

Funeral services will be conducted in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Tuesday morning at 11:00.  Interment with full military honors will follow in the North Haven Center Cemetery.  The visiting hours will be Monday from 5 to 8 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the CT Hospice, Inc., 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT  06405.