Paul F. Coates, Sr., 70, of 25 Evening Star Lane, Bedford, NH died December 25, 2003 at Hillsborough County Nursing Home in Goffstown following a lengthy illness. He was born in Somerville, MA on July 17, 1933, the son of Roy and Mary (Ford) Coates and was a lifelong resident of Medford, MA before moving to Bedford five years ago. He was a United States Army Veteran. He was a graduate of St. Anslem College and Boston State College. He also attended Salem State College. He was a mathematics teacher with the Brookline, MA school system for many years and was a member of the Brookline Teacher Association. He also taught and coached in the North Reading, MA school system. He was also the former Medford, MA Liquor Commissioner. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church. He was predeceased by a daughter, Mary Patsos who died in September, 2003. Family members include his wife of 46 years, Patricia (Oates) Coates; four sons, Paul F. Coates, Jr., of Raymond, NH, Roy F. Coates of Scituate, MA, Thomas F. Coates of Medford, MA and Michael M. Coates of Stoneham, MA; two daughters, Elizabeth Taylor of Beverly, MA and Catherine Miko of Stratford, CT; 18 grandchildren; a brother, James Coates of Winter Park, FL; two sisters, Elinor Coates of Winter Park, FL and Jane Barry of Kennebunkport, ME; a close family friend, Daniel Walsh of Falmouth, ME; and many nephews, nieces and cousins. Calling hours will be at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street, Manchesteron Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning at 10:00 in Sacred Heart Church, Manchester. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Takaysu's Arteritis Association, 16 Rose Lane, Bedford, NH 03110. To view an on-line memorial, get directions or send a condolence, go to www.phaneuf.net.