Brian Douglas Yates Obituary (1966 - 2021)

Brian Douglas Yates, 54, died Monday, February 8, 2021 at Lowell General Hospital from complications of COPD, with his brothers by his side. Brian was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on August 12, 1966. Brian was the youngest son of Dr. Stuart G. Yates, and Faye Maryland Yates. Brian grew up in Chelmsford, attending local schools and graduated from Chelmsford High School with the class of 1985. He continued his education at Middlesex community college. Brian put his education to work, joining New England keyboard in 1987, where he had a variety of titles, starting on the manufacturing floor and retiring as a manufacturing engineer. Brian was highly regarded by his coworkers, most of whom became lifelong friends. Growing up he split his time between his home in Chelmsford and the family summerhouse on Lake Mascuppic in Tyngsboro where he spent his summers swimming, boating, and waterskiing. In high school and beyond he enjoyed many outdoor activities including snowmobiling, camping, hiking, white water rafting, fun in the sun at Hampton Beach, and many summer days spent at the Rowsell summer house on Lake Winnipesaukee where he was known to purchase excessive quantities of fireworks for Fourth of July celebrations and enjoy an occasional frosty libation along with a large group of like-minded friends. To say that Brian was a Grateful Dead fan would be a colossal understatement. To say that he misspent a significant portion of his youth driving around the Northeast to camp out and party at every concert he could get tickets to would be more accurate. Brian is survived by, and will be deeply missed by his brothers, Mark Yates of Tyngsboro, Robert Yates of Tyngsboro, Scott Yates of Lowell, his aunts Pat and JoAnn, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and a large group of lifelong, hard partying friends, from his Chelmsford high days. Brian was predeceased by his parents Stuart and Faye Yates. Due to gathering limitations, funeral services and interment will held privately for family and friends. Honoring the family's wishes, funeral services and interment will be held privately.