Paul Otis Oakes

SALAMANCA - Paul Otis Oakes, 92, of Salamanca, died early Saturday (Aug. 19, 2017) at home in his sleep, following a prolonged illness.

Born April 5, 1925, in Napoli, he was the son of the late John W. Oakes and Gladys Ames Oakes French. He was married on Aug. 6, 1947, to the former Katherine "Kay" Blehar, who predeceased him on April 30, 2015.

Mr. Oakes was a veteran of the United States Army during World War II, serving with the 573rd AAA AW Battery A, from Aug. 1943 through deployment in the European Theatre from Dec. 24, 1944, to the war's end Sept. 2, 1945.

He had been employed during the beginning of the war at the former Weston Bakery making K rations, and returned after the war, when he met his wife. He had also been employed at the former Fancher Furniture Company, Hunt's Furniture Store, and most recently as a custodian for both Salamanca High School and Prospect Elementary School, prior to his retirement in 1990.

Paul and his father, John, completed construction on his house on Baker Street in 1950, where he and his wife lived for the rest of their lives.

In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting, tending his flower gardens and yard and helping his children and grandchildren with their various renovation projects.

Surviving are two daughters, Linda Monk of Cortland, and Paula (John) Fargo of Alexandria, Va.; two sons, Dennis (Laurie) Oakes and Michael (Cynthia Wilder) Oakes, both of Salamanca; five granddaughters, Dr. Kati Fargo (Justin) Ahren of Oyster Bay, Sara Fargo of Annandale, Va., Theresa (Hank) Rowland of Liverpool, Diana Oakes of Syracuse, and Kayla Oakes of Salamanca; four grandsons, Bryan Oakes of Grand Island, Neb., Kevin Oakes of Syracuse, Corey Oakes and Nathan Oakes, both of Salamanca; four great-grandchildren; a brother, David (Eleanor) Oakes of Salamanca; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Cathy Oakes; two grandsons, Cassius and Jason Monk; an older brother, John R. Oakes, and two infant brothers, Marvel and Lewis Oakes.

A memorial mass for both Paul and Kay Oakes will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday (Sept. 23, 2017) at Our Lady of Peace Parish with the Rev. Peter Napierkowski, pastor, as celebrant.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba American Legion Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River St., Salamanca.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.