George Thomas Cranmer Oakley, World War II Navy Veteran, Well-Known Long Beach Island Resident, Dies At 92

Courtesy of Thos. L. Shinn Funeral Home

George Thomas Cranmer Oakley (Tom) of Ship Bottom, NJ left this world peacefully, on October 18, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Tom lived a long and rich life in his 92 years.

Tom was born in Trenton and grew up in Pennington, NJ where he graduated from Central High School with his lifelong friend, Colon Smith. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Navy from 1943-1946 where he proudly served in the European and Pacific theaters as a pharmacist's mate.

He graduated from William and Mary where he met and married his sweetheart and lifelong partner, Jean Black. After college, he joined the family owned business, Conrad Lumber, in Ship Bottom. After the business was sold, he spent his career in the banking industry with the former Beach Haven National Bank and Trust Company and as a sales associate with the former Lackey Realty in Ship Bottom.

His passion was serving the Long Beach Island and Southern Ocean County communities he so dearly loved. He received a number of awards and accolades, including the Paul Harris Fellowship Award (Rotary), the James J. Mancini Award (SOCH) , William Booth Award (Salvation Army) and the Art Schwertzel "good Scout" Award (Boy Scouts of America).

He was past president and longtime member of the Ship Bottom Fire Company where he served with love and dedication for over 65 years. He was also past president and longtime member of the Rotary Club of Long Beach Island.

He served as a Ship Bottom Councilmen and borough historian, along with his charitable work with the Ocean County planning board, SOCH Hospital Foundation (now Emeritus), Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce (also past president), Boy Scouts of America, Little League, Chairman of the LBI Salvation Army as well as serving on the LBI and Southern Regional HS school boards.

Tom loved his family and loved LBI and all the wonderful friends he met over the years. Nothing gave him greater pleasures that attending Southern Regional HS sports (thank you to Coach D and all the coaches over the years) with his son-in-law Stacy. He was a lifelong fan of the Phillies and Eagles.

He also loved sailing on the Chesapeake with his cousin Charles, going to the cabin in Wells Mills with his brother Cliff (Smoky the Bear), attending Ship Bottom concerts with Mike, Danny and the gang, and participating in all the fund-raising activities with his firemen friends and Rotary family (carnivals, circuses, auctions, he loved them all). An avid reader (especially Anne's Rotary Port), he also loved word puzzles and telling his long stories to anyone who would listen, with a big smile on his face.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, George and Martha Conrad Oakley and his brother Clifford Harter Oakley. He is survived by his beloved wife Jean, daughters Carolyn (Stacy) Cranmer of Manahawkin; Deborah Lebby of Knoxville, TN; Patricia Oakley of Barnegat; three grandchildren, Melissa (Jason Rahn), Brian (Angela) Lebby, Kevin Lebby and three great-grandchildren, Jaycie and Bentley Lebby and the apple of his eye, his "big guy" Alex Rahn (age 2). He is also survived by three nieces, Sharon (Don) DeCastro, Nancy (Tom) Scully and Paula Oakley. I think 3 was his lucky number! He is also survived by his SBVFC #1 and Rotary families whom he also loved with all his heart and soul.

To make a long story short, we will miss you GTO.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers and staff from Holy Redeemer Hospice, Terry B and Right At Home. They are angels on earth and we will never forget your love and devotion.

Friends and family are invited to attend the viewing from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Thos. L Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr. Manahawkin, and the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Tom's favorite organizations, the Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company #1 or Rotary Club of Long Beach Island.