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Dr. William Robert (Bert) Coates, age 80 years, resident of Pasteur Road, after a lengthy illness passed away peacefully and valiantly at Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011.</p>
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Bert was born in Peterborough, Ontario. His family lived in Havelock, Ontario and then in Lynden, Ontario. At the age of five in 1936 Bert's family moved to Pickering, Ontario. He was educated in Pickering and attended Scarborough Collegiate. <br />
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In 1947 Bert's family moved to East York (Toronto), Ontario where he completed grade 13 at East York Collegiate. He had a mighty intellect and quickly completed the courses for his diploma. In one instance he taught himself in six weeks the content of Grade 13 Algebra in spite of never sitting in on a single class. <br />
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Bert's one year grade 13 accomplishments at age 15, eight A's and six B's, were the best in Toronto that year and were duly noted with an article in the Toronto Daily Star. This rapid comprehension enabled him to graduate two years before his peers. Bert proceeded to the University of Toronto where he completed his Medical Degree in 1953 just as he turned age 22. <br />
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A junior rotating internship followed in 1954 at the Vancouver General Hospital. During his university days, Bert joined the R.O.T.C. (Reserve Officers Training Course, Navy) and spent one summer in Halifax. Interested in understanding and helping people Bert pursued a medical specialty in Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and completed specialist training in 1958 - C.R.C.P. (C) (Certification of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada). </p>
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Bert met Betty Claire Snider in the late 1950s when she was working as a nurse at the Toronto General Hospital. <br />
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They met again at the Ontario Hospital Brockville and they married in 1959 at Wall Street United Church, Brockville, Ontario. For four years they lived in Southern Ontario where Bert worked at the Ontario Hospital Brockville and then at the Ontario Hospital Whitby. They had their first three children while living in Whitby: Infant girl Coates (deceased in Oshawa), David, and then Mary. </p>
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On the train ride to Vancouver for his junior rotating internship in 1954, Bert had seen the Sleeping Giant nestled in Lake Superior as he passed by Port Arthur. The beauty of the Lakehead inspired Bert to apply for and accept a Psychiatry position at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital. <br />
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Both Betty and Bert were pleased to move to the Lakehead in 1963 where Betty's Uncle Claude Morris, his wife Nora, and Betty's cousins were residing. Betty and Bert were also very happy to be near Betty's best friend, Carole Faulkner, whom Betty had met during their nursing diploma programs at the University of Toronto.</p>
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Bert and Betty lived on Clarkson Avenue. After five years at the Ontario Hospital in the Lakehead, Bert joined the Port Arthur Clinic in 1968 and moved the family to Summit Avenue a year later. <br />
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Bert and Betty had two more children, John Robert and Melissa. Bert worked at the Port Arthur Clinic consulting at Saint Joseph's General Hospital, the Port Arthur General Hospital, McKellar General Hospital, and the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital until his retirement at the age of 68 in 2000. </p>
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In addition to his educational and career accomplishments, Bert was a talented pianist. Bert and Betty both enjoyed singing for many years in the St. Paul's United Church Chancel Choir. <br />
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Bert had a thirst for knowledge and in his spare time he read voraciously. He was a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous. After the death of his spouse Betty in 1996, Bert became an avid cook. He enjoyed exercising with new friends in his Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Groups.</p>
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Bert is survived by his brother Dr. Charles Coates (wife Diana) of London, Ontario; his sister Yvonne (Bonnie) Adams of Scarborough, Ontario; his son Dr. David Coates (wife Patricia) of Amherstburg, Ontario; his daughter Mary Coates-Korpela (husband Kalvin Korpela) of San Diego, California; his son Dr. John Robert Coates of Windsor, Ontario; his daughter Melissa Coates of Atlanta, Georgia; his granddaughter Kassandra Coates of Windsor, Ontario; as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. We will miss Bert's humorous oration.</p>
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Predeceased by his parents, George Franklin Coates and Margaret May Maunders; his wife, Betty Claire (nee Snider), and his daughter, infant girl Coates.</p>
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Funeral services for Dr. William Robert (Bert) Coates will be held on Monday, Oct.. 3, 2011 at 11 a.m. in St. Paul's United Church, 349 Waverley Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario with the Reverend Heather Landry officiating and Reverend Lloyd Ivany participating. A reception will follow in Lunan Hall of St. Paul's United Church. <br />
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According to his wishes, Bert will be cremated. The committal and interment of the ashes will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery, E Block, 800 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Visitation for family and friends will be at the Sargent & Son Ltd Funeral Home, 21 Court Street North, Thunder Bay, Ontario on Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 2 to 4 p.m. </p>
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If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association (Thunder Bay Branch); St. Joseph's Foundation (Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program); or St. Paul's United Church. <br />
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Online condolences may be made at: <a href="http://www.sargentandson.com/" target="_blank">http://www.sargentandson.com/</a>.</p>
