Joseph "Ray" Raymond Bates

Joseph Raymond Bates, 91, of Newfane, Vermont, died on December 13, 2022.

Ray, as everyone knew him, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on January 17, 1931. He completed a five-year apprenticeship at the R.L. Christie Clockmaking Company of Scotland, while also studying mechanical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. These pursuits culminated with a graduation as a Craft Member of the British Horological Institution of London, in 1952, along with the achievement of Master Status upon building a clock of his own, completely from scratch. Ray served two years in the Royal Air Force as an Instrument Specialist and Photo Analyst, after which he toured Europe with a friend on motorcycles.

In 1957, Ray immigrated to the United States, obtained teaching credentials from Keene State College, taught English, and established The British Clockmaker, a business focused on restoring antique clocks. He married Beverly Myer Graham in 1962, and in 1964, moved from Waltham, MA to Newfane, VT. By 1966, Ray initiated an apprenticeship program with the state of Vermont and successfully trained six apprentices, including his son Richard, who continues to run the business. Ray also created a company, Precision Industrial Photography, and did work for National Geographic and other professional publications. On April 23,2010, in London, Ray was inducted into The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, a guild dating back to the early 1600's.

Ray loved Corgis, cars, jazz and classical music, and traveling in Europe with Beverly. He was an avid reader of The New York Times and appreciated good literature. He held strong opinions about politics, social justice, and religion. Ray was a self-taught gourmet chef who relished cooking delicious meals for friends and family. Until the last year of his life, Ray and Beverly hosted friends for dinner a couple times a week.

Ray is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beverly Graham Bates; his son, Philip Graham Bates and his wife, Susie, and children Isabel and Emma of Melrose, MA; Iain Ramsey Bates of San Francisco, CA; and Richard Elliott Bates and his wife, Stephanie, and children Hannah and Ella of Keene, NH. He is also survived by his closest cousin, Jane Johnston and her husband, David, of Surrey, England.

There will be a private celebration of life in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Newfane Congregational Church, 11 Church Str, Newfane, VT 05345, notating that the donation is for the Discretionary Fund.