Reverend John T. Coates, Pastor Emeritus, Saint Helena Parish, Blue Bell, died at Saint Mary's Manor, Lansdale, on December 11, 2012.

Father Coates was born on February 17, 1918, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Washington Coates and the late Mary A. Guckin. Father Coates attended Ascension, James Russell Lowell and Saint Helena's Elementary Schools, and Northeast Catholic High School, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Coates was ordained on December 15, 1945, by Most Reverend Hugh L. Lamb, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. Father Coates served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish, Coaldale, and Saint Eleanor Parish, Collegeville. Father Coates also served as Chaplain, New Eastern State Penitentiary, Graterford, Pennsylvania, for twenty-three years. In June 1974, Father Coates was appointed Pastor, Saint Helena Parish, Blue Bell, and named Pastor Emeritus in June 1993.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Saint Helena Church, Blue Bell, on Monday, December 17, 2012, at 9:00 AM, followed by a viewing. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas at Saint Helena Church, Blue Bell, December 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend James N. Catagnus, Monsignor Joseph J. Nicolo, Reverend Michael J. Saban, Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan and Reverend George J. Szparagowski. Father Saban will be the homilist.

Father Coates is survived by nieces and nephews. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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