CANTON – Walter Warren Oakes, 76, of 11 Pine St., Dixfield, passed away Friday March 12, at the Victorian Villa, Canton.

He was born July 7, 1928, in Ridlonville, the son of Emery and Helen Davis Oakes. He received his secondary education in New Brunswick, Canada, and Mexico. He graduated from Mexico High School in 1949, after serving in the United States Navy. He was also a graduate of Bentley College.

On Sept 14, 1950, he married Gloria Kimball, who predeceased him on Jan. 26, 2001.

He was employed for many years as an accountant at Oxford Paper Co., was manager of the West Paris branch of Maine National Bank, and later was an auditor for the Bureau of Maine’s Elderly until his retirement.

He was a Mason and served for a number of years as secretary of the Blazing Star Lodge. He was a founding member of the International Lilac Society, for which he also served as secretary.

Walter was a devoted husband and father. He will be remembered fondly by many for his generosity, for his knowledge of and love of plants and antiques, and especially for his lilacs.

He is survived by two daughters, Valerie Wolstencroft of Dixfield, and Melissa Jordan of Greenville, S.C.; two sons, Warren of Auburn, and David of Ayer, Mass.; two sisters, Dorothy Chopping of Dixfield, and Ethel Hathaway of Bath, New Brunswick; one brother, Clifford of Dixfield and Leesburg, Fla.; his aunt, Leah Palmer of Mexico; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Patricia Ruff; a sister-in-law, Noela Oakes; and a nephew, Jimmy Hathaway.