William Gatesh

William Gatesh, 96, of Scottsdale Az. and owner of Gatesh Optical passed away after a brief illness on Jan. 4, 2012. He was born in Ottawa, Canada in 1916. His family moved to Toronto a few years later where he spent his youth and early adulthood. He was a concert violinist for the Toronto Conservatory of Music. In June of 1942 he married his sweetheart, Anne Radecki. He enlisted in the Canadian Navy the same year and was a petty officer during WW2. After the war, he and Anne relocated to Detroit, Michigan and started their family. A few years later, they both became U.S. citizens. In 1955 he opened his first business, Gatesh Opticians, at 7 mile and Greenfield in Detroit. He relocated his family to Scottsdale, Az. in 1962 and opened Gatesh Optical in 1964 as a licensed dispensing optician. He actively worked in the family business until 2005. He was an avid bowler until 90 years of age, bowling 3 leagues a week and averaging close to 190. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Anne, in July of 2009. He is survived by his daughters, Dale Silberblatt and Denise Wylie, their respective spouses, 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Services will be private. Donations may be made to the Arizona Humane Society, 9226 N. 13th Ave, Phoenix, 85021, which was an organization he supported and held close to his heart.