Official Obituary of
John R. Oakes
September 2, 1931 ~ February 12, 2021 (age 89) 89 Years Old
John Oakes Obituary
John R. Oakes
Newark - John R. Oakes, 89, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021, at Newark Wayne Community Hospital.
John was born the son of John and Marie (Cunningham) Oakes on September 2, 1931, in Seneca Falls, NY. He was a graduate of Mynderse Academy in 1949 and graduated from the University of Buffalo with a degree in pharmacy. After graduation from college, and before working full time as a pharmacist, he served in the US Army as an X-ray technician. John worked many years at Wayne Drugs and then Wegmans in Newark.
John was a dedicated pharmacist known in the community and often went above and beyond to help. While in charge of the local pharmacy, he would often go in after-hours to fill prescriptions. He was an avid Yankees fan and enjoyed watching Syracuse University basketball. In recent years, he worked on mastering a computer, primarily by winning at Solitaire, completing online puzzles, and Skype. He loved orange slices and anything sweet.
John was an active member of the Newark Elks Lodge 1249, serving in many positions over his 40 plus years as a member and was involved in many projects to include scholarships and Boys State. John was a member of the American Legion and served for a time as a board member of the local ARC.
John will be remembered by his only sibling, Sister Janet Oakes of the Sisters of St Joseph in Rochester, NY. He was often noted to talk about his children Carolyn (Steve Townsend) Oakes of Newark NY; Brian (Greg Monaco) Oakes of Nyack, NY; Beth (David) Thomas of Sharpsburg, MD; John (Eve) Oakes of Manlius NY; Christopher (Lisa) Oakes of Clifton Springs, NY, and Rebecca (Gordon Smith) Oakes of Phoenix, AZ. He will also be remembered by his grandchildren, who provided his greatest joy Ian, Christina, Derrick, Sarah, Laura, Kathryn, and Owen. He had one great-grandson, Caleb Oakes.
John was predeceased by his wife Barbara in 2007 and his canine family Max and Beau.
Please join the family from 1 - 3 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 21) for visitation at Norman L. Waterman Funeral Home, Inc., 124 West Miller Street, Newark, NY 14513. John's funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 22) at St. Michael's Church, 401 S. Main Street, Newark, NY 14513. Private burial in East Newark Cemetery.
Please note, for visitation and the funeral mass all NYS social distancing and face covering guidelines must be followed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Elks National Foundation, 2750 North Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614-2256 - elks.org or Sisters of Saint Joseph, 150 French Road, Rochester, NY 14618 - ssjrochester.org.
Newark - John R. Oakes, 89, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021, at Newark Wayne Community Hospital.
John was born the son of John and Marie (Cunningham) Oakes on September 2, 1931, in Seneca Falls, NY. He was a graduate of Mynderse Academy in 1949 and graduated from the University of Buffalo with a degree in pharmacy. After graduation from college, and before working full time as a pharmacist, he served in the US Army as an X-ray technician. John worked many years at Wayne Drugs and then Wegmans in Newark.
John was a dedicated pharmacist known in the community and often went above and beyond to help. While in charge of the local pharmacy, he would often go in after-hours to fill prescriptions. He was an avid Yankees fan and enjoyed watching Syracuse University basketball. In recent years, he worked on mastering a computer, primarily by winning at Solitaire, completing online puzzles, and Skype. He loved orange slices and anything sweet.
John was an active member of the Newark Elks Lodge 1249, serving in many positions over his 40 plus years as a member and was involved in many projects to include scholarships and Boys State. John was a member of the American Legion and served for a time as a board member of the local ARC.
John will be remembered by his only sibling, Sister Janet Oakes of the Sisters of St Joseph in Rochester, NY. He was often noted to talk about his children Carolyn (Steve Townsend) Oakes of Newark NY; Brian (Greg Monaco) Oakes of Nyack, NY; Beth (David) Thomas of Sharpsburg, MD; John (Eve) Oakes of Manlius NY; Christopher (Lisa) Oakes of Clifton Springs, NY, and Rebecca (Gordon Smith) Oakes of Phoenix, AZ. He will also be remembered by his grandchildren, who provided his greatest joy Ian, Christina, Derrick, Sarah, Laura, Kathryn, and Owen. He had one great-grandson, Caleb Oakes.
John was predeceased by his wife Barbara in 2007 and his canine family Max and Beau.
Please join the family from 1 - 3 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 21) for visitation at Norman L. Waterman Funeral Home, Inc., 124 West Miller Street, Newark, NY 14513. John's funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 22) at St. Michael's Church, 401 S. Main Street, Newark, NY 14513. Private burial in East Newark Cemetery.
Please note, for visitation and the funeral mass all NYS social distancing and face covering guidelines must be followed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Elks National Foundation, 2750 North Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614-2256 - elks.org or Sisters of Saint Joseph, 150 French Road, Rochester, NY 14618 - ssjrochester.org.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John R. Oakes, please visit our floral store.
Friends and family have shared their relationship to show their support.
How do you know John R. Oakes?
We are sorry for your loss.
Help others honor John's memory.
Email
Print
Copy
Services
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of John R. Oakes
© 2024 Norman L. Waterman Funeral Home, Inc.. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility