lifestyle

Captain Rodman Oakes
an obituary forwarded by the American Society of Panama

Rodman Alexander Morris Oakes, 78, of Old Lyme, Connectitcut, died peacefully at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital on Monday, January 28, 2008.

Retired Senior Panama Canal Pilot and US Coast Guard Unlimited Ocean Master, Rodman was born in Mt. Vernon, New York on May 14, 1929, the son of the late Alexander Morris Oakes and Helen Bourke (Buckman) Oakes.

Rodman leaves behind a sister, Joan Henkel of Mystic, and four children, Amanda Oakes of Mystic, Connecticut, Christopher Oakes of Paris, France, Anthony Oakes of Austin, Texas and Bruce Oakes of Ledyard, Connecticut.

Rodman was married to Mary Whiting (Lockwood) Oakes of Pawcatuck, Connecticut. He also leaves behind six beautiful grandchildren.

He had a long maritime career falling in love with the sea at age eight and building his first boat at age 13. He attended the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. During the Korean War he enlisted in the Coast Guard and graduated from the Officer Candidate School. After serving in the Coast Guard he attended Columbia University. He spent 12 years working as a New York advertising executive, but eventually heeded the call of the sea and worked his way up to an unlimited ocean masters license.

He became the last US hired pilot trainee in 1981 and went on to become a senior Panama Canal pilot, living between Panama and Connecticut for the last 20 plus years. One of his greatest joys was sharing his love of Panama with others. Besides the many visitors he hosted in Panama, he often gave slide presentations of the history of the Canal and the country.

He was an avid rower and was a member of the Connecticut River Oar and Paddle Club. Rod also enjoyed yacht deliveries and long distance racing.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Maritime Education Fund of Connecticut, 68 Groton Long Point Road, Groton CT 06340 or the Traditional Small Craft Association, P.O. Box 350, Mystic CT.

Plans are being made for a springtime memorial. For information about the memorial, please contact: oakess@gmail.com

News | Economy | Culture | Opinion | Lifestyle | Science | Outdoors
Noticias | Opiniones | Calendar | Archive | UnClassified Ads | Home