Farewell Michael
Club members joined a large group of family and friends at a service to celebrate the life of Michael Oakley held in Frankston on Tuesday September 1st. Michael suffered a sudden heart attack at his home on the evening of August 23rd.
An active and valued member of our club Michael was about to begin his second term as Club Secretary. He took on this busy roll in 2008. Michael was also the editor of the club Periodical The Anchor and was a driving force behind our new Web Site.
If there was a social event on the Calendar you could be sure that Michael was in there, organising brochures and flyers for the around the club and Web site. If there wasn't a Social Event, then Michael would often organize one himself. Micahel treated every guest as special, confirmed their booking, organized catering and then on the night if there was music to be played, you knew who the bass player would probably be!
Michael was the skipper of Jester an Endevour 24 seen often in club competition. Seldom available all day on a Sunday because of the Musical side of his life, Michael would take Jester out as the Race Starter Vessel and then once the fleet was away he'd head off for his playing engagement. From the start of winter Michael had decided that Thursday's were his day for a sailing and over the past few months he'd taken the opportunty of getting out on the water often, inviting anyone else who could "escape" along as well.
Communication between the Club Committe and the membership was one of Michael's pet subjects. Many an Email was received by members as a reminder for an upcoming Committe meeting or general event. Seldom a storm would pass without one of Michaels Storm Warning texts or emails, sending us all scurrying to secure our boats. It seems only fitting then that he had sent all members an SMS Weather Warning only an hour or so before his passing.
We pass on our deepest sympathies to Margaret and family.
Michael will be sorely missed.
Tributes to Michael in the Club Forum can be viewed here
