Denis Oakley – Handley and Anderson Funeral Services

Date of Funeral

August 18, 2022

OAKLEY Denis McKeeman OAM

27.12.1937 - 8.8.2022

So dearly loved husband of Lesley.
Proud and loved father of Kirsten, Johanne, Rachael, Benjamin and Lachlan.
Very proud and loved grandfather Bapu of Nate, Tess, Campbell and Mia;
Meg, Alice and Will; Felix, Luca and Eleanor; Scarlett, Phoenix and Sienna;
Noah, Ava, Olivia and Tom.

Son of Hector and Audrey.
Brother of Judith and Ross.

Policeman, social worker, minister, footballer,
bowler, try hard sailor, club man, friend.
An action man, an agent of change
and most of all, a family man.

He is in our love forever.

Obituary
Condolences

The Funeral Service for Mr Denis McKeeman Oakley OAM
was held at St John’s Uniting Church, Chapel Street, Cowes
on THURSDAY (August 18, 2022) commencing at 2:00pm.
A Private Cremation will follow.

The Funeral Service was Live-streamed.

Video duration 1h 20m – Please download the file first prior watching.

Watching inside Dropbox limits it to 1.00 hour.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bg766ghf2kj1eo5/DENIS_OAKLEY.mp4?dl=0

Condolences(8)

REPLY
Susannah Shannon. says
August 11, 2022 at 5:54 pm

To 0ne of My Dearest and Bestest Friends LESLEY who I Look upto as My Auntie LESLEY and Family,
My Deepest Sympathy and Sincerest Condolescenses go out to YOU ALL.
I’m SOOOOO VERY SORRY and I’m SOOOOO VERY SAD to Hear of Your Beloved Husband, Beloved Father and Beloved Grandfather and 0ne of My Dearest and Bestest Friends *DENIS* who I Looked upto like A Uncle Figure who I met at St. John’s quiet a few years ago now. I still can’t believe it a real shock.
*DENIS* was ALWAYS up for A Friendly Genuine Chat and A Laugh or Two.
Aswell as being Definitely 0ne of the Good Guys.
Gone Far Too Soon.
Thanxs for the BIG Impact YOU had on My Life and ALL the Chats, Laughs and Friendliness YOU showed Me Too.
Gone but Never Forgotten
Rest in Peace
*DENIS*.
My Thoughts and Prayers are with YOU ALL 0NE DAY AT A TIME.
I Will Also Miss *DENIS* and His Presence ALOT and Dearly.
GOD BLESS,
LOTS of LOVE and BIG HUGS to YOU ALL,
Susannah++00
REPLY
Pam Hateley says
August 12, 2022 at 9:27 am

Dear lesley and family. I will never forget the kindness and care both Denis and yourself gave to my beautiful troubled boy Jason . Thinking of you. Pam Hateley (Bennett/Crump)
REPLY
Arthur Moule says
August 12, 2022 at 5:53 pm

A fierce competitor on the football field and the bowling green. Memories of games between Sandringham and Camberwell and Brighton. Met up again on the bowling green at Inverloch.
You learnt your spot. R.I.P.
Arthur Moule
REPLY
Christina Anthony says
August 12, 2022 at 9:24 pm

Dear Lesley and family, No one will ever know how many childrens lives were changed for the better by you and Denis, not only at Swinburne House but numerous others who were so Blessed when their paths crossed with yours. I was privileged to have shared an infinitesimal part of your journeys. God Bless you. Christina Anthony
REPLY
Catherine Roby says
August 15, 2022 at 10:42 am

Dear Lesley,
I first met Denis when we were both Social Work students when his roguish sense of humor brightened our days.
When qualified our paths did not cross so it was always a pleasure for me to meet up with Denis and you at St Johns Church, Cowes, in more recent years.
As Denis was having difficulty with his memory I had taken to introducing myself as ‘Cathie a blast from the past’. I will miss his smiling face and the connection with those past years.
REPLY
Dr Lisa J. Griffiths says
August 16, 2022 at 2:06 pm

Dearest Lesley

Thinking of you at the sad passing of Denis.

Denis was a remarkable man who gave endlessly in pursuit of others’ well-being.
His leadership of Family Focus which went on to become OzChild leaves an enduring legacy.
His ongoing support after this has never been forgotten.
So many lives changed, and we are all better for him.

Wishing you much comfort in your loss.

Your OzChild family
REPLY
Margaret Hoelter says
August 17, 2022 at 6:45 pm

Dear Lesley and family,
Our deepest condolences; memories of a wonderful man and sailing companion..
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Clive and Margaret Hoelter
REPLY
Fiona Saunders says
August 18, 2022 at 1:47 pm

Dear Lesley and all the Oakley Family,

I felt very sad when Dad (Bill Mackie) rang me last week to tell me of Denis’s death. Denis was a very special man, to his family and the wider community. My early memories of Denis are Christmas Days at Kyneton – how wonderful cricket or footy out the back was with the Uncles and Cousins that Mum had. I feel blessed that Paul and I had such a beautiful wedding day when Denis married us under the flowering cherry tree in Mum and Dad’s garden at Vermont. So many happy memories of family gatherings and dear family members no longer with us, over the last 70 years that I was part of.
Lesley my thoughts are specially with you today as you say goodbye to your truly special man, may you and your family be comforted by the love and support around you.
Love and hugs to you all from
Fiona and the rest of the Saunders crew in Brisbane and the Northern Rivers.