Gilbert Eugene Coates

“GILLY” (age 90)

Passed away peacefully on January 9, 2015. “Gilly” was born February 3, 1924 in Washington, DC, to Ferdinand C. and Mary F. Coates. He grew up in Washington, graduated from McKinley High School and attended Benjamin Franklin Business School. He worked at PEPCO, then went to work for Riggs National Bank, where he spent the majority of his working career. The family purchased a home in Falls Church, VA in 1956, where Gilly lived until his passing.

Gilly’s passion was music. He played the guitar, and joined the Washington Chapter of the American Federation of Musicians in 1940, at age 16. For the next 60 years he played the Washington Society circuit at top hotels, country clubs and presidential engagements (including Inaugural Balls for Presidents Roosevelt through Clinton). He worked with the premier music agencies in the city, including Tiny Meeker, Meyer Davis, Howard Devron, Sidney’s Orchestra and Gene Donati. Gilly also cherished playing with his life-long friend, Larry Maher, in the Larry Maher Trio.

Gilly is survived by Lorraine, his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 69 years; son and daughter-in law, Wayne and Bunny Coates of Clemmons, NC; son and daughter-in-law, Neale and Sue Coates of Lake Worth, FL; daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Greg Ledford of Washington, DC; and grandchildren, Jeff Coates, Spencer Coates, Emily Ledford Roiff and husband Michael, and Alan Ledford. We will always be grateful for the two great gifts he passed on to us-- love of family, and love of music.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA, with interment to follow on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1 p.m. at National Memorial Gardens in Falls Church, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311.