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Capt Willard Ernest “Will” Cates

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Birth	:	17 Oct 1872 Joggins, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, Canada
Death	:	29 Aug 1947 North Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
Burial	:	Capilano View Cemetery, West Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate	:	49.3378400, -123.1235200
Description	:	A colorful career of one of BC's pioneer tugboat captains came to a close Friday, Aug 29, 1947, when 74 year-old Capt. Willard E. Cates died in North Vancouver General Hospital. For years the trombone whistle of his tug, the "Native", was heard up and down the BC coast. He played humorous tunes on the ship's whistle and was known wherever he went as a "great little guy". Although light and small he always held his own with the roughest and toughest on the coast with a dynamic personality and a ready wit. Born at Ragged... Read More	A colorful career of one of BC's pioneer tugboat captains came to a close Friday, Aug 29, 1947, when 74 year-old Capt. Willard E. Cates died in North Vancouver General Hospital. For years the trombone whistle of his tug, the "Native", was heard up and down the BC coast. He played humorous tunes on the ship's whistle and was known wherever he went as a "great little guy". Although light and small he always held his own with the roughest and toughest on the coast with a dynamic personality and a ready wit. Born at Ragged Reef (Joggins), Nova Scotia on Oct 17, 1872, he came to Vancouver in 1888. He worked as a boy on steamboats plying the Fraser River to Yale. He sailed with the Klondike gold rush to the Yukon, serving as engineer on northern river boats. Returning to B.C. he was chief engineer on the "Britannia", one of the first passenger boats to operate on Howe Sound. He worked for his captain's papers and eventually bought and commanded his own tug, the "Native". Tugboat and river men up and down the coast knew there was always a warm welcome and a cup of coffee waiting for them on his little ship. Captain Cates' last ship was the tug "Barbara Yaunt", sailing to the island. After 8 years as her engineer he retired in 1942 to the home of his daughter, Mrs, C.E. Ridley in West Vancouver. He is survived by a son Capt. G.R. Cates, Oakland, Calif.; 2 daughters, Mrs. C.E. Ridley, West Vancouver and Mrs. R.O. Berry, Salinas, Calif; a brother Capt. J.W. Cates, Port Alberni; and a sister Mrs. Lillian Turner, Vancouver. Source: Vancouver Province, Sat, Aug 30, 1974 "Capt Cates, Tugboat Veteran, Dies".

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Capt Willard Ernest “Will” Cates's memorial?
Capt Willard Ernest “Will” Cates's memorial is located at: Capilano View Cemetery, West Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada.
When did Capt Willard Ernest “Will” Cates death?
Capt Willard Ernest “Will” Cates death on 29 Aug 1947 in North Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the Capt Willard Ernest “Will” Cates's memorial?
Latitude: 49.3378400
Longitude: -123.1235200

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Siblings

Capt Charles Henry Cates Sr.

(1859 - 1938)

Children

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Nearby Cemetories:

1. Capilano View Cemetery
West Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3378400, -123.1235200

2. St. Martin's Anglican Church
North Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3380400, -123.0688900

3. Stanley Park Pioneer Cemetery
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3013830, -123.1566360

4. Saint James Anglican Church Columbarium
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2825070, -123.0971980

5. Boal Chapel Memorial Gardens
North Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3214400, -123.0219100

6. North Shore Crematorium
North Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3242300, -123.0194400

7. North Vancouver Cemetery
North Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3234406, -123.0176926

8. Canadian Memorial United Church Memorial Garden
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2573100, -123.1467000

9. Burrard Indian Reserve Cemetery
North Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3084100, -122.9907000

10. De Pencier Memorial Garden
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2452260, -123.1379340

11. Shaughnessy Heights United Church Memorial Gardens
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2416470, -123.1412890

12. Pacific Heritage Cemetery
Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2693787, -123.0112762

13. Mountain View Cemetery
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2379990, -123.0930023

14. Beth Israel Cemetery and Memorial Garden
Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2693900, -123.0047100

15. Vancouver Crematorium
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2337020, -123.0921130

16. Christian Community of St. Faith's
Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2196000, -123.1493900

17. Musqueam Reserve Cemetery
Musqueam, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2294400, -123.2045500

18. Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2470016, -122.9919968

19. Ocean View Burial Park
Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2190018, -123.0165024

20. The Little Red Church Cemetery
Bowen Island, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3855100, -123.3389600

21. Saint Stephen the Martyr Anglican Memorial Garden
Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2537730, -122.8947640

22. Douglas Road Cemetery
New Westminster, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2155610, -122.9293810

23. Schara Tzedeck Cemetery
New Westminster, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1984600, -122.9547400

24. Robinson Memorial Park
Coquitlam, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2540600, -122.8792700