July 5, 2006 obituary. PORTLAND -- Gerald Maynard Bates Jr., 80, of Falmouth Foreside, died July 2, 2006. He was born in Portland on Sept. 2, 1925, a son of Gerald M. Bates and Mabel F. (Waterman) Bates. He graduated from Falmouth High School, Class of 1943. While at the University of Maine in Orono he was drafted into the U.S. Army and received specialized training in small arms weapons and ordinance. After the war, Gerry resumed his education at UMO and received his degree in Mechanical Engineering. On June 4, 1949, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Bjorn, and they were married 57 years. Gerry continued his education and completed his master's degree in one year at the University of Michigan. In earlier years he was on the Budget Committee for the town of Falmouth, served on the Planning Board and was its Chairman for a time, and was Chairman of the Pier Committee. He was also a Boy Scout Leader when the Troop was at the Foreside Community Church. As a registered surveyor, Gerry was known for his exacting work, conscientious attention to detail and integrity to those he served. As a registered professional engineer he served the state of Maine, managing the Maine Drinking Water Program, and enforcing the Federal Safe Drinking Act which regulates the safety of public water systems. Gerry was a Life Member of the NRA, a member of the Maine Association of Professional Engineers, and the Appalachian Mountain Club - White Water Canoeing. Gerry was an outdoorsman in every sense of the word - enjoying hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, sailing, canoeing, camping, skiing, and snowmobiling. There will be a graveside service on Thursday, July 6, 2006 at 11 a.m. in Pine Grove Cemetery, Route 88, Falmouth.