Bates Earns Employee of the Month

Marc “Skip” Bates arrived as Country Living at Westview Commons’ February 2022 Employee of the Month. Skip is one of the Westview Commons transportation specialists, driving the facility’s grand, 12-passenger van to assist residents with all their conveyance needs. These destinations can be near and necessary, in examples such as providing carriage to shop at Killingly Commons or offering passage across the street to therapy and massage appointments at Westview Health Care Center. But it is also in the further and broader cultural destinations where Skip finds joy in his job. Ventures to The Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, CT, the Bowen house in Woodstock, CT, and the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston, MA are highlighted among Skip’s trips.

...it is also in the further and broader cultural destinations where Skip finds joy in his job...

Skip is a graduate of the Putnam High School class of 1973. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from American International College in 1977. After college, Skip worked for 40 and a half years in accounting at Colt’s Plastics Company in Dayville, CT; retiring in 2019 as their Chief Financial Officer. He speaks fondly about working in the family organization there, and he is proud to fulfill his current role at Westview Commons as a part of another family legacy.

Family holds a prominent place in Skip’s world. His mother and his father-in-law are both residents at Westview Commons and they all appreciate being able to see each other frequently. Skip’s two brothers and their wives—Mike and his wife Denise, and Alan and his wife Janet—are also near to his heart. Skip and his wife Tori have 5 children, they and their spouses being: Ryan, Lindsey, Brittany and her husband Chris, Glenn and his wife Wendy, and Ross and his wife Caitlyn. They continue to grow the family with 13 grandchildren: Elizabeth, Rylee, Alexia, Makense, Daniel, Christopher, Noreen, Nathan, William, Mason, Benjamin, Ella, and Jacob. Skip appreciates that he always has something to do in his role as “Poppy Skip!”

Family holds a prominent place in Skip’s world...

Recreationally, he enjoys outside work in the forms of gardening, lawn care, and the important task of cutting, splitting, and stacking wood for his wood-fired stove. One of his biggest extracurricular passions is his membership in the Christian Motorcyclists Association along with his wife Tori. Some of their favorite events on two wheels include riding to New Hampshire for Laconia Motorcycle Week, the Christian Motorcyclist Association’s “Run for the Son,” and more locally in support of the Plainfield VFW’s “Reason to Ride.” If it isn’t obvious yet, Skip is at home on the road and he loves connecting with people. He gave a full-throated and full-throttled response in regards to earning the Westview Commons Employee of the Month award:

“I am so humbled, grateful, and truly blessed to have been selected for this award. It is a daily joy to be able to provide transportation needs to the residents here. I consider them extended family members and I enjoy doing anything I can to make their days brighter.” Skip continued to say: “My fellow team members here at Westview Commons inspire me to always do more. They are a blast to work with!”

Transporting these residents is surely important, but it is in the noble way that Skip performs his duties that garners the appreciation of Executive Vice President David T. Panteleakos. “Skip is an asset to Westview Commons in both transporting our residents as well as showing his devoted support to them in so many ways. His kind and warm demeanor towards each and every resident, family member, and guest that visits Westview Commons keeps the good will going around our community. Congratulations to Skip!”

Country Living at Westview Commons is a 75-unit independent and assisted living community conveniently located in picturesque Northeastern Connecticut. Affiliated with Westview Health Care Center, a nationally-ranked nursing facility according to CMS and U.S. News and World Report for the past years, Westview Commons is a 115,000 square foot catered living facility dedicated to a genuine 5-star experience including outstanding service, culinary expertise and professional in-house entertainment. Located in Dayville, CT, Westview Commons combines convenience, tranquility and comfort; providing a lifestyle that seniors deserve.