Edward H. Bates, Jr.

Edward H. Bates, Jr. age 75, long-time Chairman and CEO of Spring Air International passed away on July 14, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, FL where he had been residing. 

He was born in Boston on June 20, 1949 and was the son of the late Edward H. and Antonetta (Drago) Bates.

Mr. Bates entered the mattress business in 1972 when he started Atlas Bedding in Chelsea, Massachusetts. In 1983, he became the New England licensee of Spring Air because he wanted a national brand he could offer his growing list of retailers across New England. He is widely credited for being the architect of the current success of the Spring Air brand, which he repurchased in 2009 from HIG, a private equity firm that engineered the rollup of eight licensees in 2007, but then put the company into Chapter 11 two years later. In 2019, he sold the New England license to C.M. Bedding, in Fall River, Massachusetts, a leading regional manufacturer that was founded in 2002 by David Nguyen. Today, that plant has grown into a 300,000-square-foot plant produces mattresses, box springs and pillows for retail, e-commerce and hospitality.

In his private time Ed enjoyed spending time at the casino and time at his Florida residence. 

Mr. Bates is survived by his wife, Acileide Bates, his grandson, Tyler McNulty, and his wife’s children, Edson, Duarte and Kathrynne, his brother, Ronald Bates, his son-in-law, Scott McNulty; and many dear nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine (Gleeson) Bates, his daughter, Elaine (Bates) McNulty, and his brother, Joseph Bates. 

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham on Friday, July 19 at 10am. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, 322 Main St., Stoneham on Thursday, July 18 from 4-8pm. Interment, Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield. 

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.