Geoffrey Mcnair Gates

Geoffrey M. Gates, 89, Beloved Family Man, Marine

Geoffrey McNair Gates passed away on Monday, October 24th, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Born in New York City on November 20th, 1932, he was the son of Jane Shonnard Bell and Geoffrey McNair Gates. Raised in New York City and Bedford, NY, Geoffrey was a student at the Buckley School and Rippowam Cisqua School. He was a graduate of St. Paul's School in Concord, NH, and Princeton University.

In 1954 he joined the United States Marine Corps and served until 1956 as Captain. He was always appreciative of his time in the service, and it played a significant role in the rest of his life.

Geoffrey started his career on Wall Street as a stockbroker at Bache & Co., then Allen & Co., and was later employed by Laidlaw, Adams & Peck. After a stint at Sanders Morris Harris, he worked independently in investor relations, specializing in mining stocks, having founded small mining companies in the US and Canada during his career. Geoffrey loved working, building connections and researching innovative industries, ultimately pursuing the role of financial consultant to cleantech companies.

Geoffrey met the love of his life, Wende Devlin, and they married in 1974. While living in New York City, they had three children: Christopher, Bryan, and Julia. In 1986, they moved to Darien, CT, then to Westfield, NJ, where they lived for 23 years. Geoffrey also spent many summers in the Hamptons on Long Island, where swimming and body surfing in the ocean was a deep passion.

Geoffrey made many friends and pursued a range of interests throughout his life, especially while living in his beloved NYC for 40 plus years. He loved the arts and social life, even attending Truman Capote's famous Black and White Ball in 1966. Geoffrey collected paintings by contemporary artists, often befriending the artists themselves. He was also a talented cartoonist and caricaturist. Geoffrey's love of music and popular culture, lightning-quick wit, and contagious delight at the world made him a fascinating friend to people of all ages.

Ultimately, Geoffrey felt his greatest achievement was his loving family. He is survived by: Wende, wife of 48 years; son Christopher and daughter-in-law, Kristina, and their 3 sons, Soren, Charlie, and Field; son Bryan and daughter-in-law, Meera, and their 2 sons, Raj and Rishi; and daughter Julia.

A service celebrating Geoffrey's life will be held at the First Congregational Church, 125 Elmer St., Westfield, NJ, on Thursday, November 17th, 2022, at 11am.
Arrangements by Gray Funeral Directors, Westfield. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.