The Cemetery of My Mind: Memories and More

“Bates makes authorial debut with a long, triumphant memoir of his path towards healing after abuse. … all stories contribute to the panorama of a full life that includes everything from boys on bicycles in summer to the ups and downs of marriage, from a boyhood replete with abuse to an adult spent helping others confront and overcome it. … [T]his worthwhile memoir movingly portrays one man’s courageous life” -----Kirkus Reviews Bates explains-he does not blame. Bates entertains with … many …memories, but what takes precedence are the psychological wounds inflicted on him during childhood. At the beginning of the book, it seems it will be about his alcoholic mother. It turns out to be sexual abuse by a high-profile decorated war-veteran priest. Bates and his wife, the former Joan Tank of Kitchener, emerged as leaders in helping the victims of sexual abuse by priests and goading the Church to admit its sins of commission and cover-up. …Bates has done an admirable job of dredging up memories buried in the cemetery of his mind, presenting them in an entertaining and informative fashion.—Waterloo Regional Record- Jim Romahn is a Kitchener writer. …. a fantastic piece of literature. -Aberdeen Times …It’s a book of hope and survival, good and evil, intertwined with stories about the early days in Niagara-on-the-Lake, before it became the tourist mecca it is today. ...He paints a vivid picture of life in a small town, where everyone knew everyone else, but some homes, including his, harbored secrets families went to great efforts to protect- Niagara Advance “The exorcising of Bill's childhood demons is a heartwarming success story. His youth, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, getting in and out of more adventures than Tom Sawyer. A target of a pedophile priest at an early age, Bill has channeled his adult energies into working with victim's outreach programs as well as publicly challenging Church hierarchies to "clean out the decay"… And finally, in the end, we are left with HOPE. Bravo!” -Jim Derbyshire “… [Bates] revisits his past through the benefit of self-analysis, endurance, and self-motivation. The early years in the “historical Paradise” of Niagara-on-the-Lake… escapades which he describes with fondness and humor… In the middle and closing chapters, the full disclosure of a second abuse is related … the ultimate betrayal…The urgency, despair and search for understanding come alive in these passages. … by finding a way that helped not only him but others who have been damaged.” -Cheryl Froud. BA, BLS “[Y]our book … was extremely moving! I commend you for having the courage and determination…. The book is very well-written and I thoroughly enjoyed your adventures as a young boy -Cathy Simpson, Director | Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library This book holds your attention throughout its entirety. An honest true story that depicts one's life from childhood, thru adulthood, mixed with humor, intelligence and spearheaded by a young man who so gallantly was able to rise above his painful youth… He along with his wife, were able to contribute to society with their involvements in many groups to help other people …Once you start the read, you will be taken in with childish devilment, smiles, tears and finally with success.- Myra Block “…I have been reading your book and find it fabulous, you’re a great writer. Jim Smith, Niagara Historian … I am very impressed not only by your writing but about your life. I had no idea you’ve been so active in so many organizations and causes. I got thoroughly involved with the characters in your story; I was engrossed and wanted to keep reading to find out what happened.”Robert Kerins I have read the book ... it was hard to put down... "Congratulations" ..I think we all went through some of those times... He brought back quite a few memories that were long forgotten. Brian