About Us
John Henry Gately
1860-1921
John Henry Gately started Gately Funeral Home in 1889 on Wyoming Avenue in Melrose then moved to Myrtle Street adjacent to the present day Mary Foley Park. In the early 1900’s, The Melrose Phone Book had the entry for John H. Gately listed as “John H. Gately Undertaker/Baggage Handler Wyoming Station”. Later the listing was changed to “John H. Gately & Son Funeral Home. In 1894, John H. Gately was one of the ushers at the cornerstone laying of St. Mary’s Church. Mr. Gately married Mary (Lynde) Gately, a direct descendent of the Melrose Lynde Family. They had 3 children: Dr. Lynde Gately, Clara (Gately) Mahoney and John Winfield Gately. |
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John Winfield Gately
1895-1943
John Winfield Gately took over the family business after the death of his father. John W. married Mary J. (Foley) Gately; they had 1 son named John Henry Gately. John W. Gately, the second generation of the Gately Funeral Home, ran the business until his untimely death in 1943. In addition, John W. was a 4th Degree Kinight at the Melrose Knights of Columbus. |
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Mary J. (Foley) Gately
1900-1993
Mary J. Gately received her funeral director’s license on Dec. 31, 1942 and took over the funeral home after her husband’s death. From 1943 to 1990, Mary J. was involved with running the family business until she suffered a stroke at the age of 90. Mary J. was one of the first women to own their own business in the early 1940’s and 1950’s. In 1949, Mary J. purchased the corner lot at W. Foster and Myrtle streets. She diligently fought to have that block rezoned for business. Finally in 1950 the funeral home was moved from Myrtle St. to its present location: 79 West Foster Street. Years later, Mary J. purchased the home adjacent to her on Myrtle St. to make way for the expansion of the business. |
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John Henry Gately
1927-1980
John Henry Gately, the third generation of Gately Funeral Home, received his funeral director’s license in 1949 after serving in the Navy during WWII. Joining his mother Mary J., together they ran the funeral home for 31 years. In 1960, John H. Gately incorporated the business and it officially became Gately Funeral Service Inc. Two years later, he expanded the business adding a large addition. John H. Gately married Elinor (Thompson) Gately and they had 5 children: Patricia, Cynthia, Pamela, Lynda and John Winfield. In 1980, John H. Gately died suddenly at the age of 51. |
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Elinor T. Gately
1929-1999
Elinor T. Gately graduated from New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences Magna Cum Laude and received her funeral director’s license in 1982. Subsequently, she joined her mother-in-law, Mary J. Gately (age 80) and her son, John W. Gately in the family business. Elinor was a licensed funeral director for 17 years. In 1994, she and John W. renovated the funeral home and added an addition. Elinor passed away on February 13, 1999 at the age of 69. |
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John W. Gately
John W. Gately, the fourth generation of Gately Funeral Home, received his funeral director’s license in 1984 and ran the business with his grandmother Mary J. Gately and mother, Elinor T. Gately. For 13 years, he worked side by side with his mother running the funeral home. John W. Gately married Lorraine (McCarthy) Gately and they have 2 children: John H. Gately (fifth generation) and Melissa G. Gately. John and his family are continuing the legacy of the Gately Funeral Home and Gately Funeral Service Inc. |
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