Committal Service
George W. Oakes
Saturday, January 5, 2012 following 10am Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mercy Church (Section 299 Lot 3 Grave 8A)
George William Oakes, 84, of Warwick, RI, died at home on December 31, 2012, after an extended illness. He was the beloved husband of Patricia Ann (Fleishman) Oakes for fifty-two years, and loving father of Kim Barlow of West Warwick, Carolyn Lukert (husband, Mark) of Gainesville, FL, Tony Oakes (wife, Laura) of Johnston, Cheryl Osborne (husband, David) of East Greenwich, and Michael Oakes (wife, Kelly) of Narragansett, and their families, including nine grandchildren (Jordan and Austin Barlow; Annie Shaffer; Ben, Aidan, Evan and Ella Osborne; and Carson and Owen Oakes). He also leaves one sister, Mary Ann Oakes, of Springfield, MA. George was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Balmeda (Anthony) Oakes, brothers Arnold, Richard, and Edward Oakes, sister Irene (Oakes) Dovner and son-in-law, Steven C. Barlow.
George was born on February 19, 1928 in Taunton, MA. While in his 20s, he trained and raced greyhounds for the Oakes Brothers Kennels. For the majority of his career, he worked in the airline industry before retiring from US Airways/ T.F. Green Airport in 1990.
George enjoyed camping, boating, and woodcarving. He had an avid interest in WW II model airplanes, of which he built and painted over one hundred. He also enjoyed sports, playing in an organized hockey league until well into his 50s. His favorite professional sport was baseball, and he was a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan. During his retirement, he spent his winters in Naples, FL, where he and his wife enjoyed the sunny beaches and communities of Florida’s west coast.
George’s family would like to thank all of the employees of Odyssey Hospice, and most specifically Candy and Alex, who helped care for George during his illness. They are truly angels here on earth whose kindness and compassion enabled George to remain at home with his family until God called him to his eternal home.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 65 Third St., East Greenwich. Burial will be in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery, N. Kingstown. Calling hours: Friday 5-8pm in the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., E. Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Odyssey Hospice – A Gentiva Company, 2374 Post Rd., Ste. 206, Warwick, RI 02886.
