Lawrence Gates, 90

PALM BEACH, FLA. – Lawrence Stuart Gates, Esq., of Palm Beach, died peacefully at his home on Feb. 10, 2025. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and respected attorney, he leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Helene. Larry, as he was known to his family and friends, was born and raised in Providence, the son of the late Irving and Rita Gertsacov. He graduated from Moses Brown School, Class of 1952. He attended Tufts University, where he was a proud lifetime member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, graduating with a B.A. in Economics as part of the Class of 1956. Larry went on to the Boston University School of Law, earning a Bachelor of Laws Degree LL.B. in 1959 and later a Master of Laws in Taxation in 1962.

Larry served as counsel to the Honorable U.S. Senator John H. Chafee during Chafee’s years as governor of Rhode Island. Later, at Chafee’s insistence, Larry ran for the Rhode Island State Senate as a Republican. He went on to have a distinguished legal career, practicing law for more than 50 years as a member of the Rhode Island Bar. He began his career in private practice with Zietz, Sonkin & Radin, and then co-founded the law firm of Gates, Mellion, Moore & Berren, where he worked until his retirement. His practice focused on trusts and estates, and he became a trusted advisor to many families and businesses.

In addition to his distinguished legal career, Larry was the managing trustee of D.I. Trust, a real estate investment and development company with a century-long history in New England, particularly Massachusetts. Larry was also an owner and partner in various other businesses, including a number of real estate holding and development companies operating in New England and the Southeast, and a partner in a successful group of nursing homes that operated in New England for over 50 years. Larry spent many years pursuing his love of art. He was a painter and enjoyed working with artists and galleries, serving as an advisor and legal counsel to various artists and art galleries in Palm Beach and New York.

Larry’s lifelong desire to help others included his philanthropic work and dedication to causes he cared about. He spent many decades working for Big Brothers of Rhode Island, where he always enjoyed mentoring and helping others to “be their best selves.”

He was also involved with many other charitable organizations, including Temple Beth-El, in Providence. Larry was a multi-generational member of Temple Beth-El, and he and his wife, Helene, served as the co-chairs of the Benefactors Fund. Through this initiative, they brought guest speakers to the community to promote education, world affairs and a lifelong love of learning. Notable speakers included Henry Kissinger, Jehan Sadat and Leah Rabin. During his retirement, Larry continued to help others as a math teacher/tutor at the Palm Beach middle school. He loved teaching children and helping them learn to love math, a subject he was always passionate about.

Larry was also an enthusiastic and lifelong golfer. Starting in his youth as the Junior Club Champion for many years at Ledgemont Country Club, he carried this passion throughout his life, playing many courses across the United States and around the world. He enjoyed competition as well as playing for the joy of the game with his wife and friends. He particularly enjoyed his many years playing at Ledgemont Country Club, Palm Beach Country Club and The President Country Club. In his youth, Larry was also a marksman, teaching riflery at Camp Bauercrest, where he enjoyed being a counselor.

Larry spent his retirement living in Florida, where he continued to be an active real estate investor, traveling with his family and enjoying time with Helene and his children and grandchildren. He also spent his retirement pursuing his lifelong passions: reading, painting, playing bridge, collecting, golf and art. Larry was a prolific artist; he spent countless hours studying his craft and taking art classes all along the East Coast, including with two of his favorite artists, Eugene (Gene) Tonoff and Janet Fish.

Larry’s love for his alma mater, Tufts University, was evident in his decades-long involvement with the Tufts Alumni Association; he was a proud Jumbo. As a member of TAAP, Larry conducted countless Alumni interviews. He always enjoyed his time talking with prospective students and hearing about their lives and dreams. He was always happy to share his wisdom and experiences with students, and to share his enthusiasm for Tufts and their futures. Larry was also well known for his love of a good joke, which he enjoyed sharing with family and friends.

Larry was a husband to the love of his life, Helene Pilavin Gates. He was a caring and loyal son to Irving and Rita Gertsacov; a loving brother to the late Charlotte Levine and loyal brother-in-law to the late George Levine; a devoted father to his four children, Eric Daniel Gates and his wife, Amy; Andrew Albert Gates and his wife, Liza; Allison Gates Tierney and her late husband, Michael; and Lisa Gates Bigney and her husband, Michael. He was also the cherished “Grampy,” grandfather to Jason, Adam, Jessie, Oliver, Isabelle and Sophie Gates, Shane, Bennet and Jeremy Tierney, and Anna and Sarah Bigney. Larry was a beloved son-in-law to Albert and Selma Pilavin; a trusted friend, advisor and son-in-law to Selma’s second husband, Murry Robinson; a dedicated brother-in-law to Faye Barbara Pilavin Joslin and her husbands, William Mayer and William Joslin, Jr.; and uncle to Patti Boochever and her husband, Stephen; Marsha Books and her husband, Richard; David Mayer and his wife, Charisse; and Ellen Mayer. He was also a loving cousin and great uncle to many. Larry will be sorely missed and his life celebrated by his friends and members of the Pilavin, Fain, Waldman, Tierney, Bigney and Gates families.