The art, craft, and writing of George Bates
1927-2004
This site is about the legacy left by George W. Bates, Sr., as created by his children. George was a prolific artist and craftsman. He also had a life long passion for learning and was an avid reader. His want for knowledge led him on a path to understanding consciousness and the afterlife.
BIO
George was born on April 23, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the eldest child to George Eldridge Bates and Dorothy Graf Bates. The Bates’ had four sons, George, Floyd, Robert (Bobby), and Daniel (Danny). When George was young the Bates’ lived in the Coney Island area of Brooklyn. They later moved to the Flatbush area.
The boys were raised in Brooklyn but made many visits to their Grandparents on the Bates side, having a farm in Warner, New Hampshire. George was friendly with Bruce Braddish, the son of his Aunt Edith, who also relocated from Brooklyn to Warner following her parents up to New Hampshire. The friendship had George visiting NH during the summer months when he was off from school.
George attended school until 17 when he enlisted in the Navy in 1944, his parents signing the papers for him to enter so young. He did his training in Texas and then traveled to California to join his ship the USS Curtis. This navy vessel was a seaplane tender serving in the Pacific during World War II. George was aboard when the ship was struck by a kamikaze near Okinawa, killing 35 sailors. George had been down in the engine room had come on deck just moments before the impact, being able to witness the plane approaching and striking the ship.
George was discharged from the Navy at the close of the war and returned to Brooklyn. At a New Years Eve party welcoming in 1947 he met Patricia McCarthy. They dated and then eloped that summer and were married in New Hampshire where George’s Navy friend Rolland Chanel lived.
George and Pat returned to Brooklyn to start their married life and have their children. They had three children while living in Brooklyn: Donna in 1948, Michael in 1952, and Barbara in 1954. George found a career in costume jewelry design suited his creativity and interest in art. He quickly moved from production work into design.
In 1958 the family moved out to Old Bridge, New Jersey. By this time George’s Brother Bob had married Pat’s sister Peg and they had two children Margaret and Robert (RJ). The two families joined resources and bought a new home on Edward Avenue in Sayrewoods South. While living in this home George and Pat had their fourth child Paul in 1960. George and Pat bought their own home on Creighton Circle and saw three more children arrive: Tricia in 1962, George in 1965, and Richard in 1967.
In the early 60s George’s designs were doing well so he started his own company called Bardon, named for his two eldest girls. The business did well and got the notice of a bigger company, Bucklers Inc. Bardon was bought from Bucklers and George hired as designer and supervisor. George worked for Bucklers until his retirement in 1990. During his time there he kept Bucklers Inc successful with the designs for metal and enamel picture frames and desk sets (these are still selling on ebay) in addition to jewelry designs.