Obituary: George William Oakes, 84

George William Oakes, 84, of East Greenwich, died at home on Dec. 31, 2012, after an extended illness. He was the beloved husband of Patricia Ann (Fleishman) Oakes for 52 years, and loving father of Kim Barlow of West Warwick; Carolyn Lukert (husband, Mark) of Alachua, Fla.; 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, Mass.

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, Mass. 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 a 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 diehard Boston Red Sox fan. During his retirement, he spent his winters in Naples, Fla., 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 a visitation Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hill Funeral Home, and a Mass of Christian Burial Saturday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church, East Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Odyssey Hospice – A Gentiva Company, 2374 Post Rd., Ste. 206, Warwick, R.I. 02886, or McAuley Ministries, P.O. Box 73195, Providence, R.I. 02907-2000. For further information and online condolences, visit hillfuneralhome.com.