Monroe, NH - Duane Chester Cate, 92, died at his home on Saturday, May 11, 2024. He was born on January 22, 1932, in Woodsville, NH to George H. and Ruth (Edmonds) Cate, the 2nd of 3 boys, and grew up on the family farm, known as Cates Corner in Bath, NH. Duane attended Lisbon Regional High School. Duane married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Erline McBurney on February 12, 1952.

After high school, Duane joined the Air Force to fight in the Korean War. Duane was awarded the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense service medal, Good Conduct Medal, and a Purple Heart Medal, as he was injured during his service.

Duane had a lifelong love of anything with an engine. He spent much of his life as a heavy diesel mechanic, traveling the country from MA to the Canadian border, even working as far away as Alaska, Virginia and on the west coast in Washington. Over his long career, Duane worked at several ski areas including Bretton Woods, and Monroe Town Hall.

Duane had a love of the outdoors, hiking mountains, skiing, ice hiking, camping, canoeing, snowmobiling, and motorcycles. Duane was also a lifelong musician who played the guitar, banjo, dobro, and standup bass and was an avid whistler. He played in the Monroe NH Backshed String Band for quite a while, and if there was ever a jam session, Duane was always available for that!

Duane was a 50-year member of the Free Masons, Burns Lodge #66, and a union member of the International Operation Engineers # 98 and the VFW.

He is predeceased by his parents, his wife, Joyce Cate on November 11, 2018, a son, Larry Cate on September 12, 2016; and two brothers, Loyd Cate and Doug Cate.  He is survived by a son, Dennis Cate, and wife Selena Cate, Monroe NH; granddaughters Melissa Cate, Portland, OR, Alaina Cate of Sutton VT, and grandsons, Gordon Cate, Monroe NH, Spencer Cate of Addison ME

A celebration of life party will be held in the future.