Obituary of James Douglas Coates

James Douglas Coates was called to his heavenly home on Monday, April 17, 2017 at Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge in Millcreek Township. He was 74. Jim was born on November 27, 1942 in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Woodrow and Sally (Adamczyk) Coates. He graduated from Saint Peter Cathedral Center and Cathedral Preparatory School and proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Intrepid. He returned to Erie and, soon after, met the love of his life, Kathleen (Weyand) Coates, with whom he celebrated 48 wonderful years of marriage. Jim, who retired from Steris (formerly the American Sterilizer Company) after a 37-year career, was a devoted family man and enjoyed traveling with his wife, Kathy, especially to their own piece of paradise in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and spending time with his children Jimmy, Carl and Karen, and the rest of his family and friends. He loved sports and his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes. Some of his best memories were going to Buckeye games with his son, Carl, Browns games with his son, Jimmy, Indians games with his daughter, Karen, and his annual Mets game with his son-in-law, Julian. Jim was a man of strong faith and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Peace and longtime parishioner of Saint Peter Cathedral, where he served as an usher for many years. For the past three years, Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge became his second home. He attended daily Mass, weekly Bingo and many other activities. He also was passionate about music and spent many hours listening to his favorite performers Johnny Cash and Elvis — something he enjoyed sharing with his friends there. In his heavenly home, Jim is now reunited with his son, Carl, who passed away in 2013, his parents, and his younger brother, Bill Coates. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, his children and their spouses, James and Kelly (Gaber) Coates and Julian and Karen (Coates) Torres, and his grandchildren Cailey, Caroline and Justin, all of Erie. Also surviving are his sister, Patricia Coates of Erie, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Madeline and Paul Skala of Auburn, Alabama, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jim’s family would like to thank all of his caregivers at Saint Mary’s for their love and support and the staff at Great Lakes Hospice for their help and comfort during his final days. Calling hours will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 20 at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 21 in the chapel at Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, 4855 West Ridge Road Erie, PA 16506. Inurnment with military honors will be held at Laurel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to be made to the Saint Mary’s Benevolent Care Fund.