GOSHEN — Frederick J. Bate III, 79, of Goshen, passed away peacefully on Aug. 28, 2026, at Candlewood Valley Health & Rehabilitation in New Milford. He was the loving husband of Marie (Savan) Bate.
Fred was born on Feb. 13, 1947, in Torrington, the son of the late Frederick J. Bate Jr. and Doris Bate.
He attended Cornwall Consolidated School and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village.
Following high school, Fred proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman and combat medic during the Vietnam War, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps, 5th Division.
Following his military service, he continued his education and training, earning certificates through the State of Connecticut Office of Civil Preparedness in radiological monitoring, as well as through the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency Staff College in Battle Creek, Michigan. He also completed training in radiology through the Bureau of Radiological Health and the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery of the United States Navy Basic Hospital Corps School.
Fred dedicated much of his life to serving his community and working in fields that allowed him to help others. He worked for Sharon Hospital as a radiology technician and taught EMT classes, becoming one of Connecticut’s first emergency medical technicians after serving our country.
He also worked for the State of Connecticut at Housatonic Meadows as a constable and park ranger at Kent Falls. Fred also served as superintendent of Trinity Conference Center and, later in his career, as manager of the Cornwall Transfer Station, where he worked until his retirement. In 2003, The State Department of Environmental Protection recognized the Cornwall Transfer Station for having one of the top 10 recycling programs in Connecticut.
A lifelong member of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, Fred was deeply committed to his community. In recognition of his dedication and service to the people of Cornwall, he received the Community Service Award from the VFW on Memorial Day in 1995.
Fred will be remembered for his commitment to his country, his community, and the many people he served throughout his life.
In addition to his wife, Marie, he is survived by his two children, Alexandra and John; 3 stepchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; his sister, Susan Williamson and her husband, David; his brother, James Bate; 2 nephews; 2 nieces; and 2 cousins.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. at The Cornwall Cemetery on Route 4 in Cornwall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Make-A-Home Foundation, 199 Park Rd. Ext., Middlebury, CT 06762 or Off the Streets - Danbury, PO Box 591, Bethel, CT 06801.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
