Alan R. Oatey
Long-time Sanibel resident Alan Oatey passed away on July 1 at the age of 83.
Alan was passionate about his family, his friends, and the Oatey Company, a business founded by his father, L. R. Oatey, and a business he worked for his entire adult life. He provided the leadership and direction for Oatey to grow from just a few employees to an international company with many facilities. Although he retired in 1987, he remained on the board for many years to mentor his successors and guide the performance of the business.
He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, then completed his college degree at Ohio State University, graduating in 1947. Alan married his Lakewood High School sweetheart, Carol, several weeks later; they were married for 61 years until her death last July.
The couple loved to swim and to walk on the beach at their home on Sanibel, where they had been living prior to their passing. They loved to travel, and introduced the entire family to skiing, golf, boating and biking.
Alan was active as a volunteer for numerous charitable organizations, and was proud to financially support many causes. He was honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Cleveland YMCA, and was inducted into the Lakewood High School Hall of Fame. He was also a past President of The Ohio State Alumni University Association. Alan leaves a legacy of love and devotion to his family, his friends and his community.
The Oateys had four children – Gary Oatey, and his wife, Rosanne, Nancy McMillan, and her husband, John, Bill Oatey, and his wife, Jill, and Karen Oatey and her husband, Dave Landes; 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial donations to be made to the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, 2200 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.