John Simpson Oakley

ALBANY, NY – John Simpson Oakley passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on Monday, March 7, 2011. He was born in Poughkeepsie in 1927 to Mose and Eula Oakley. He graduated from Cornell University College of Agriculture in 1952 and earned his Masters in Education from SUNY Oneonta. He was an U.S. Army veteran of the Second World War and the Korean War. He was a dedicated and passionate teacher of science and math who taught primarily in the Guilderland School District. He was known for engaging his students with a curriculum that included local aquatic life, educational gadgets and the occasional reptile. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine (Lockwood) Oakley, his unfailing partner of fifty-six years; his children, David (Dianna Mastro) Oakley of Slingerlands, Laura (Richard) Beebe of Albany, Claire (Bruce Wendt) Oakley of Billings, MT and Rachel (David) Hsiung of Huntington, PA; his beloved grandchildren, Cathryn Oakley (Carrie Nemec), Julia Oakley, Heather Beebe, Amanda Beebe, Sarah Wendt, Eric Wendt, Benjamin Hsiung and Rebecca Hsiung; and his brother, Howard "Bud" Oakley of Venice, FL. His brother, Edward Oakley, predeceased him. He enjoyed his retirement immensely, filling his time with family, devouring cookies, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking adventures, swimming, stamp collecting, cross-country skiing, and supporting his family by attending an endless stream of athletic endeavors, concerts and anything else his children or grandchildren cared about. He will be deeply missed.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205 or the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church, 2291 Western Ave., Guilderland, NY 12084 in memory of John Simpson Oakley.