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NATICK – William Jeremiah Gately, 56, passed away on Friday February 12, 2021 with his loving family by his side after an arduous and courageous battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife Virginia, and their children Margaret, Charlotte, William and Allegra, and their dogs Piano, Bear, Mei Mei and Di Di. He was the beloved son of Margaret T. Gately and the late William P. Gately Jr. He leaves his sister Mary (Gately) Merritt and her husband Michael, their children Michelle, William and James and his brother Michael P. Gately. He also leaves his in-laws Dr. and Mrs. Yung-Tse Hung, his sister in-law Kathleen (Hung) Li, her husband Arthur and their children Jacob and Joanna. He is survived by a large and lively extended family who loved gathering together.
Bill was raised in Natick, proudly serving as the class president for the Natick High School Class of 1983 and was a member of the high school Superbowl football teams.
He attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and received a B.S. in political science, serving as the commencement speaker at his UMass graduation ceremony in 1987.
After college, he began his career in the insurance industry and later transitioned to real estate development, with the dream of renovating historic mills and factories. He embraced challenges and excelled at creative problem-solving starting from his humble beginnings living in a storage locker to save up for his first South Boston investment property.
Bill loved meeting people. He had a gift for immediately making each person feel unique and loved because his love for people was genuine and generous. Even a brief conversation could become a bonding experience (why not?). He enjoyed all of life’s moments-he was that rare person who could even enjoy being stranded in a car during a blizzard. All of his friends were familiar with his highly developed sense of adventure. Everyday life became vivid and exciting when Bill was around and we were the richer for it.
Bill was a triathlete and loved running and biking. He loved pushing himself and running in hot weather: the hotter and more humid, the better. He enjoyed golfing and watching the Patriots win the Super Bowl. He delighted in making games up with his four children from playing auction to history quiz show to jumping across rock walls.
Visiting hours will be at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home located at 4 Park Street in Natick on Thursday, February 18, 2021, from 5-7 PM.
A Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church 44 East Central Street (Rt 135) Natick will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021, at 11 AM to be followed by a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to The Natick Service Council located at 2 Webster Street, Natick MA 01760. For directions and guest book please visit www.everettfuneral.com
McCarthy McKinney Lawler Funeral Home