Eric Norman Oake

Second star to the the right and straight on until morning."

Obituary

Eric “Grumpy” Oake, 72, died on August 6, 2026, in Bastrop, Texas. Those who knew Eric knew a man described as devoted, generous, and sharp-witted, with a distinctive sarcasm.

Eric was born on November 28, 1953 in Brooklyn, NY and attended Rockland Community College and SUNY Oswego in New York, after which he briefly served in the US Air Force. 

Eric worked at Otis Elevator, where he began as a helper in 1980 and rose to the position of superintendent. After leaving Otis in 1993, he was mostly self-employed, first with Nyack Automotive in New York, and later with Grumpy’s Garage in South Carolina. He was a passionate mechanic, taking on young apprentices and always explaining, in detail, repairs to his customers. He loved cars and motorcycles, things that he could make sense of and fix. Sadly, hearing loss and disability from arthritis led to his retirement in 2013 and eventually hindered work on his own vehicles. 

Over his lifetime, Eric held memberships in the Masons, American Legion, AmVets, and Loyal Order of the Moose. He was particularly active and held offices in the Moose and AmVets. He was also deeply involved in the Amvets Riders and the Patriot Guard, where he enjoyed riding his Harley with friends. 

Eric was an avid reader who preferred spy stories, intrigue, and thrillers He enjoyed those same genres, plus science fiction, in movies and television and was a devoted fan of all things Star Trek and Star Wars. In his younger years, he played guitar and had an eclectic taste in music, with a special fondness for 1960’s rock music. Over the years, he attended many concerts, from Alison Kraus to Led Zeppelin
 
Even as inherited nerve deterioration gradually robbed him of his hearing, he continued to listen to the music he loved by streaming favorites through Bluetooth to his hearing aids. He was persistent in holding on to all parts of his life that brought him joy and familiarity.  

In the same way he held on to the cars, movies, and music that he loved, he kept in touch with friends from years past. Among those he touched base with from time to time was his high school sweetheart, Isabel. Eric and Isabel married in 1996. They first made their home in South Carolina, later lived in Florida, and eventually settled in Texas in 2021.

Eric is survived by his wife, Isabel; his first wife, Brenda; his daughter, Allyson Corona and her husband, Benjamin; his stepdaughter, Ivey Lynn Kaiser and her husband, Josh Ball; granddaughters, Lily and Laurel Corona and Iyla Ball; step-father, Norman Oake; brothers, James and John; sister, Pamela Svet; and nieces, Ashley and Sydney Oake and Jessie Svet Reedtz.
He was predeceased by his mother, Joanne Zettler Oake.

Eric will be remembered by his family and wide circle of friends for his mechanical knowledge and skill, his love of cars, motorcycles and music, and the distinct edgy humor that was ever present in his conversations.

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