Albert Kent Oakes

With great sadness, the family of Albert Kent Oakes, 64, announces his passing at the Prince County Hospital on Friday June 28. Born in North Wiltshire, PE on June 22, 1960, he was the son of the late Charles and Erma Oakes.

Kent is survived by his two sons Jeremy (Rebecca) and Nicholas (Kyla), grandchildren Charlea, Leo and Noah, siblings Wayne (Linda), Faye Weeks (Donald), Joyce McPhee and Darlene along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Kent dedicated his life to the Atlantic Canadian Harness Racing Industry during his career as a civil servant first with the department of Agriculture then the department of Finance. Horses were his passion as he toiled every living moment to further the industry in whatever way he could. In addition to his regular duties, Kent served on or aided virtually every board and organization in the harness racing industry including as Chair of Standardbred Canada, interim Director of Racing at the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission and Racing Manager at Red Shores Charlottetown and Summerside. One of his crowning achievements was the construction of the new racing facilities at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Summerside Raceway, that he collaborated on with his many friends and colleagues in the industry.

If anyone needed help in the Island harness racing industry he was never more than a phone call away day or night. He bred a number of stakes winning horses with his brother Wayne, most notably 2004 Governor’s Plate winner Igoddago. The only thing that trumped the harness racing industry was his family, especially his three grandchildren as he attended school events, hockey games and spoiled them every second he could.

Resting at Belvedere Funeral Home, with visitation on Wednesday, July 3rd from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Belvedere 11 a.m. Thursday, July 4th. Please click on the following link to view his funeral service Remembering Kent Interment to follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Valley. Donations in memory of Kent may be made to the IWK Children’s Hospital Foundation.