Mr. Essie Oakes

The recent bereavement of Mr. Peter Esmond Oakes (Essie) created widespread sadness and sympathy throughout Shrigley, Killyleagh and the wider Downpatrick area.

Essie was a well known sportsman in his younger years and was a prominent player for Downpatrick RGU and Rathkeltair FC. His sporting talent led him to playing for Ards in the Irish League.

On marrying his wife Patricia, Essie set up home in Killyleagh and continued to utilise his sporting passion to develop Killyleagh Wolfe Tone Gaelic club and the Downpatrick Billiards League.

In addition to his passion for sport Essie was a committed member of his community and was fondly known as the Lord Mayor of Shrigley. Essie was dedicated and focused on improving his community and bringing people together.

He was very proud to be part of the community and volunteered much of his time to benefit others, from taking on the role of caretaker in the local Martin Hall, to organising numerous village festivals and co-ordinating soccer and billiards leagues.

The amount of work Essie was involved in is endless but his main priority was his wife and family. Essie was devoted to his family and is sadly survived by his loving wife Patricia, sons Peter and Ruairi, daughters Jean, Lisa, Isabel and Margo, his grandson Luke and daughter-in-law Amy, also his brothers Charlie and Tony, and sisters Kathleen and Bridget.

His funeral at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church was beautiful and was conducted by Father Brian Watters, who was a family friend. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.