Portlandville – Stephen Devada Gates, 52, our superman was slain by his kryptonite Covid, on January 21, 2022, he was at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

Devada was born September 16, 1969 in Manhattan, the son of Harold and Pauline (Scott) Gates.

He grew up in Queens and attended Howard University.  He worked at Public Storage in Rockland, Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown and currently at Custom Electronics in Oneonta.

He was a big Superman fan and loved Captain America.  He was a comic book nerd. Two of his favorite artists were Biggie Smalls and Freddie Mercury, who he named his beloved cats after, Biggie Paws and Freddie Purrcury.  He was also an avid Giants fan.

He is survived by his "wife", Secunda Stanton; their daughters, Asia and Aleaha; grandson, Phoenix; his mother, Pauline Gates; his sister, Letitia and husband, Jabbar Severe; his favorite niece, Jayani Severe; his brother, Cody Machicote; his best friend, Anyon Turner; cousins, Emmanuel Gates, Aseelah Carter,  Daniel Khahaifa, Fajr Goodrich, Lashawn Allen, Cleveland Thomas, Teswanna Johnson, Justyn Dulac and Gregory Dulac; sister-in-law, Janette Brooks; brother-in-law, Hamid Kareem; a host of aunts, uncles and close friends.

He was predeceased by his father, Harold Gates.

Per Devada's wishes he was cremated.  Due to Covid there will be no public viewing or services.  It is encouraged to celebrate the life of Stephen Devada Gates.  Please consider donations to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, JDRF.org or United Network for Organ Sharing, UNOS.org

Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com Arrangements are with Oneonta's only family owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street.