Obituary of Peter J Oaten

Peter J. Oaten passed away at home surrounded by his family on August 5, 2017.  He was born on August 7, 1924 in Studland, County of Dorset, England.  At the age of 18 he joined the Royal Air Force receiving his pilot’s wings at the age of 19. He was a bomber pilot/instructor during World War II where he met his wife, Connie Chafer.  They were married on May 10, 1947 until her death in 2007. He earned a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in England and attained membership as a Chartered (Professional) Engineer with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London, England. 

In 1965 he was hired by Vertol (helicopter) Division of Boeing Aircraft in the Philadelphia area and emigrated to America with his wife and two children.  He worked as a design and test engineer for several years.  He also worked for The Franklin Mint in PA before being hired in 1977 by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford where he worked until his retirement in 1990. Peter and Connie moved to Farmville, North Carolina and enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States and Canada.  In 2015 Peter moved to Hamden, Connecticut to be close to his family. 

Peter is survived by his son, Peter Oaten and wife, Pauline of Hamden, CT and grandchildren, Molly and Ryan Oaten and great grandson Brayden Oaten. He is also survived by his daughter, Lynne Kapryn, her husband Ken and grandson Russell Kapryn of Temecula, CA.

The Oaten family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Smilow Cancer Center in North Haven and the Masonicare Home Health & Hospice Team for their love, caring and support.  Should friends desire, memorial contributions in Peter’s name may be made to The Masonic Charity Foundation of CT,  P. O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 2819 Whitney Avenue in Hamden on Friday, August 11th at 11:00 a.m.  The B.C. Bailey Funeral Home of Wallingford has been entrusted with the arrangements.  For directions or to leave a message of remembrance, please visit www.BaileyCares.com.