Poughkeepsie - Daniel Gates, 79, of Poughkeepsie, NY passed away on October 6, 2015 at home. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, PA on December 26, 1935, the son of Frank & Mary Glamp Gates. Dan married Sharon Fleury on May 9, 1987 in Niagara Falls, NY. She survives at home. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children: Kathleen Haytas of Columbus, Ohio; Daniel (Chris ) Gates of Woodbridge, VA.; Maureen (Bill Drew) Gates of Staatsburg, NY; and Colleen (George) Drew of Highland Falls, TX; siblings: David (Sharon) Gates of Lancaster, PA and Patricia (Joseph) Pecosh of Brownsville, PA. There are 6 grandchildren, including Ariel Haytas and Joseph Gates as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and infant son: Stephen. Dan had a passion for flying. He served 13 years in the U.S. Air Force as a Navigator and Electronic Countermeasures Officer. After leaving the Air Force as a Captain he was a flight instructor and charter pilot at Sky Acres Airport and Dutchess County Airports. His love of flying extended to his hobby of building and flying radio control model airplanes and extensively reading about military and aviation history. From his earliest years he looked to the skies every time a plane flew overhead. He held various jobs after a heart attack took away his flying career but he in his heart always considered himself first and foremost a pilot. Visitation will be Monday, October 12, 2015, 1-3 PM in the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. A Remembrance of Life Service will begin at 3PM in the Funeral Home followed by Military Honors. Memorial Donations may be made to: The Parkinson's Disease Support Group of the Mid-Hudson Valley, or Wounded Warriors.