Charles James Oakes, 86, of Pittsfield, passed away July 9, 2022 at Berkshire Medical Center surrounded by his family. Born in Springfield, MA on February 22, 1936 the son of Charles and Corine McGarvey Oakes.
He was educated in Springfield, MA and was a graduate of Cathedral High School. Charles then went through the General Electric DFTG Apprentice Program.
He married the former Marguerite M. Trasatti on June 29, 1957 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Pittsfield.
Mr. Oakes was a product design engineer tech for 26 years at GE Ordnance and he retired in 1994 from Martin Marietta.
A communicant of St. Joseph Church, he was a member of the GE Quarter Century Cub and the Thursday A.M. Bowling League. Charles was an avid golfer and was a member of the Wahconah Country Club since 1981. He enjoyed travel, photography and going to his grandchildren’s sporting events and school functions.
Mr. Oakes is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Marguerite “Peg” Oakes of Pittsfield. Their children, Deborah A. Oakes-Abate and husband Anthony Abate of Cromwell, CT, Pamela M. Selle of Sumter, SC, and Brenda J. Ring and husband Dennis of Mashpee, MA. Six grandchildren, Nicholas Abate and wife Britttany, Patrick Abate, Jennifer Glahn and husband Jimmy, Christopher Selle and wife Lucy, Bryan Ring, Kevin Ring and fiancé Teresa DiTommaso. Four great-grandchildren, McKenna and Ryleigh Glahn and Charlie and Cole Abate.
He was predeceased by his sister, Joanne M. Poirier and his brother Michael J. Oakes.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Mr. Oakes will be held, Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 11 a.m. at DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, celebrated by Rev. William Cyr. Entombment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Mausoleum in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Calling hours will precede the service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in care of the funeral home or through, www.shrinerschildrens.org