Charles N. Bates, Jr.

Charles (Chally) N. Bates, Jr., age 74 years, of West Amwell Township, NJ, died on Thursday, July 4, 2013.

Born in Rocky Hill, NJ on May 20, 1939, grew up in Trenton, and lived in Hamilton, and then Flemington for the past 18 years. Chally was a jack of all trades and mastered all that he loved.

As a child, he travelled the U.S. and performed in Carnegie Hall with the Columbus Boychoir School. He graduated with honors from Trenton High School and served in Army Reserve. As a young man, he worked as a carpenter building houses in the Princeton area. Chally worked for several years at General Electric and as a Realtor in Mercer County for 30 years until his retirement.

His father taught him the love of fishing and the outdoors as a child. In his later years, fly fishing for trout became his passion. Besides fishing his favorite streams in NJ, he enjoyed many days fishing the Beaverkill in the Catskills Mts. Chally enjoyed sharing his knowledge as a guide and fly tyier at Shannon's Fly Shop in Califon where he worked. In 2012, his "CB Stocker" fly ("fish candy"), which he first created at age 10, achieved national recognition and was in demand throughout the country.

Chally provided hours of entertainment as self taught guitarist, composer and song writer. He delighted his family with his flair for cooking. Also, he was a Country Western Dance instructor at the Yellow Rose in the 1990's where he met his wife, Nancy. Together they taught and danced as "Footloose & Fancy."

He is survived by his cherished wife, Nancy: sons, Jason Bates, Burlington, VT ,and Jeremy Bates and wife Amanda Grau, N.Bridgton, ME, daughter, Amanda Bates, Princeton, NJ: step children, Leon Vannais, Christine Vannais and husband Al Cone, and Stephanie Fox: three step- grandchildren, Jeff and Max Fox, and Jack Cone; sister/ cousin, Irene Gendron, Browns Mills, NJ; sister Charlotte Bates. All have the greatest respect and love for this remarkable man.

Funeral arrangements will be private under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information, or to send condolences.