Clifford "Tiny" Gates

CARTHAGE — Clifford “Tiny” Gates, age 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, October 13, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. 

He was born on June 24, 1936, in West Carthage, the son of the late Charles Clifford and Mary (Genito) Gates. A 1955 graduate of Carthage High School. He served in the United States Army National Guard for 40 years, from 1956 to 1996. During his service, he worked as a Federal Technician for the Carthage Armory with the 127th Maintenance Company, a unit that performed General Support and Direct Support Maintenance missions on various military vehicles and equipment across the United States, Germany, and Italy. He also served as 1st Sergeant for numerous years.

On August 10, 1957, he married Jane A. Intorcia at St. James Catholic Church in Carthage. The couple enjoyed 64 years of marriage until Jane's passing on September 25, 2021. He owned and operated a gunsmith business, Clifford C. Gates Reloading Gun Repair. During his retirement he delivered flowers for Gray's Flower Shop.

He is survived by two daughters, Tammy (Charles) Eldridge of West Carthage and Michele Strife of Sackets Harbor; six grandchildren, Brittney Fults, Brooke (Ray) Ganem, Bryan (Veronika) Eldridge, Jeremy (Ellen) Strife, Jasmine, and Robert Strife; nine great-grandchildren, Grayson and Camille Fults, RayVann, Adley, and Ryker Ganem, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Gabriel, and Gideon Eldridge; a brother, Kenneth (Joan) Gates; his sisters, Virginia "Ginger" (Mark) Favret; Faye (Jeff) Lemar; Gaye (Rich) Shatraw; Janet (Dana) Hickey; Joanne (Rodger) Grace; and a brother-in-law, Libero A. (Bill) Intorcia of Carthage. 

Tiny loved the outdoors, gunsmithing, hunting, snowmobiling, strawberry shortcake and spending time at his hunting camp—originally the Presidents Club, now known as the Lost Pond Lodge in Harrisville. He also traveled near and far to watch his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. He was a big Syracuse Lacrosse fan. He loved rebuilding cars and claimed to have the fastest Oldsmobile in Jefferson County. He was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church, a member of  the Carthage Elks Club, the Carthage Elks Men's Golf League at Carlowden and a participant of the Carthage Men's bowling league. 

He was predeceased by his parents; a great-granddaughter, Annabelle Hope Eldridge; a sister, Maureen Gates and a sister-in-law Evelyn Intorcia; two nephews, Libero A. (Little Billy) Intorcia Jr. and Darren Gates. 

A Calling hour will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Carthage. A Mass will follow at 1:00 p.m., with burial and military honors taking place immediately after at the St. James Cemetery. A gathering will be held at the Carthage Elks Lodge following the burial.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to either VEM- Food Pantry, 452 S. Washington Street, Carthage NY, 13619 or Comet Cares (Backpack Program) 21986 Cole Road NY, 13619. 

Arrangements are under the care of the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, 518 State Street, Carthage, NY 13619. Online condolences may be shared at www.bezanillafh.com.