Oakes, Sr., Vernie A.

Vernie Arden Oakes, Sr., of Bristol, CT passed away on Friday March 8, 2024. Vernie was born March 17, 1932, in Four Falls, New Brunswick, Canada. He was the son of the late Alton Digby Oakes and Lucinda (Shorey) Oakes. Vernie served in the United States Army overseas in the Korean War conflict. After the war he returned to Fort Fairfield, Maine to marry his sweetheart, the late Shirley Demerchant. From there he moved to Bristol, CT with his wife to start a family. He was an automobile mechanic and he worked for many Chevy dealerships, Loehmanns, Grodys, and Atwood Chevrolet to name a few. Vernie was a well-known mechanic who loved building cars and belonged to the Bristol Drag-nrun club. He drag-raced many Sundays throughout New England with his Red Anglia. Vernie's other hobbies included being in the great outdoors where he loved to hunt and fish. He also enjoyed many countless trips to Northern Maine with his boys on hunting and fishing trips. Vernie retired at the age of 62 and enjoyed the next 30 years at home with his wife Shirley. He also loved tinkering in his garage with lawn mowers, weed whackers and chainsaws. Most of the time you could see him sitting in front of his garage feeding the birds and other critters he befriended. He was a very strong man right up until his passing. At 91, he still split and stacked his own firewood. He also loved riding his ATV around the neighborhood. Vernie was the second youngest of 13 siblings, consisting of 5 sisters and 8 brothers. He also loved talking about his childhood stories of living on their farm during the Great Depression. This included stories about tossing chickens off the hay loft to see if they could fly, teasing the Billy goats with his mom's coats, and going to the local country store on his horse to get groceries for the family. He also reminisced about his childhood Christmases where all he received was an apple and orange in his stocking and he was grateful for that. Left to cherish all his wonderful memories are his two sons, Stephen D. Oakes Sr. and his wife Darlene of Terryville, and Eric Oakes of Bristol. His grandchildren Stephen D. Oakes Jr. and wife Makenzie, Brandon Oakes, Derek Oakes, Hannah Oakes, Nathan Oakes, and Jennifer Pullen. He also had 5 great grandchildren. Vernie was predeceased by his son Butchie Oakes and his granddaughter Lee Ann Oakes. Vernie was a faithful member of the Heritage United Pentecostal Church located in Bristol. Calling hours will be Friday March 15 from 5-6pm, at Dupont Funeral Home, 25 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, CT. A funeral service will follow at 6pm. Vernie will be buried in Fort Fairfield, Maine, at a later date next to his wife Shirley in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to Heritage United Pentecostal church, 48 Lewis St. Bristol, CT 06010. Family and friends are invited to leave a condolence message by visiting www.dupontfuneralhome.com