Michael Francis Gately

The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 21, 2014, at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, Fredericksburg, from 3:00-5:00 PM. A graveside service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, Florida, on September 30, 2014.

Michael was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 25, 1957, to Michael and Bridget Gately. Michael served honorably for 12 years in the U.S. Army. During this time, he served in the 25th Infantry Division as an Infantryman and the 82nd Airborne Division as a flight crew chief on the UH-1 Huey and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. He saw combat with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. He loved everything related to the Airborne and proudly witnessed two of his sons graduating from Airborne School. In his professional career, he spent 27 years supporting the American Armed Forces and the Federal Bureau of Investigations as a Field Service Representative for Sikorsky Aircraft.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Theresa Gately; his children, Michael J. Gately of Fort Drum, New York, Christopher Gately of Groton, Connecticut, Daniel Gately of Eagan, Minnesota, and James Gately of Fort Bragg, North Carolina; his mother, Bridie Gately; his siblings, Ann Marie Breadmore of Sarasota, Florida, Maureen May of North Port, Florida, Kathleen Roe of Sarasota, Florida, Paul Gately of Randolph, Massachusetts, and Terry Squires of Sarasota, Florida; and 10 grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent care of Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service or online at www.mullinsthompsonfredericksburg.com.