RUSSELL FRED OAKES

1939 - 2015

OAKES, RUSSELL FRED Russell Fred Oakes, 75, of East Hampton, husband of Sheila (Crowley) Oakes died Wednesday Jan. 7th at Middlesex Hospital. Born in West Stewartstown, NH, on Aug. 29, 1939 he was the son of the late Fulford and Mary Ellen (Bumford) Oakes. Russ was a 1958 graduate of Colebrook Academy NH where he played soccer, basketball and baseball and was in the marching band. He was a graduate of Manchester Technical Institute in Manchester, VT and the University of Pennsylvania where he completed his apprenticeship program to become a Sprinkler Fitter. He was a Sprinkler Fitter in Local 676 National Automatic Sprinkler Industry for 35 years. He was a member of the East Hampton 3rd Connecticut Regiment of Fife and Drum Corps for over a decade. He is a past president of East Hampton Old Home Day Assoc. and has been the Parade Chairman for twenty years. He is a member of the Cemetery Committee for the Town of East Hampton and a member of the American Legion Post #197 Marlborough, Past President and life member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division #2, Hartford, CT and was a member of the AOH Connecticut State Board. Russell was a proud member of the U.S. Army 503rd Engineer Co. stationed in Stuttgart, Germany from 1961 until 1964. While in the military he became a basketball referee. He joined the International Assoc. of Basketball Officials, Central Connecticut District Board #6 and refereed girls and boys high school basketball in Eastern CT until he retired in 2005. Russell umpired in the East Hampton Park and Rec. Softball League for many years. Russell was on the Norwich Diocese CYO Basketball Committee and Coordinator of St. Patrick CYO Basketball Program in East Hampton for over 25 years. In 2005, the St. Patrick CYO initiated the “Russell F. Oakes Good Sportsmanship Award”. This award is given each year to a girl and boy from each CYO team that exemplifies good sportsmanship. He is a member of the St. Patrick Church Guild. Russell was an ardent sports fan and he loved the Boston Red Sox. The flags that are seen flying over the streets of East Hampton from Memorial Day until Veteran’s Day are a result of one of Russell’s proudest endeavors, “Flags Over East Hampton”. Russell approached the Town Council in 2007 and the result was the generous donations of the citizens of East Hampton to proudly fly our beautiful flag in honor and memory of those East Hampton residents who served in the Military. Russell was inducted into the East Hampton Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, was awarded the Rev. Piechowski CYO Basketball League Trophy in 2008, was awarded the East Hampton Citizen of the Year Award in 2009 and was awarded the Rotary International “Service Above Self” award in 2012. Russell is survived by his wife Sheila (Crowley) Oakes, his daughter Maggie Joyce and husband David of Fairfield, five sons Russell F. Oakes Jr of OR, Timothy F. Oakes and wife Pamela of MA, Daniel T Oakes of VT, Jonathan L. Oakes and wife Amphay of OR, David P. Oakes and wife Angela of Moodus, nine grandchildren Fiona, Finn, and Owen Joyce, Sarah, Samuel, Lily, Teaghan, Gavin, and Declan Oakes and several nieces, nephews and in-laws. The funeral procession will leave the Spencer Funeral Home 112 Main St. East Hampton on Monday Jan. 12th at 10:15AM followed by the Funeral Liturgy at 11AM in St. Patrick Church in East Hampton. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. Friends may call at the Spencer Funeral Home on Sunday Jan. 11th from 3PM until 6PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Flags Over East Hampton c/o East Hampton Town Hall. To leave online condolences please visit: www.spencerfuneralhomeinc.com.