Sad loss of Axminster legend
The flooring industry is paying tribute to a legend of the trade, Robin Oakes, who has died aged 79, after five decades of exceptional service to Axminster Carpets and the carpet business as a whole.
Robin was born in Kidderminster, of course, and the carpet town shaped his destiny. He left school to join Tomkinsons with his cousin, Jim Bennett and went on to work for Cheshires of Nottingham where he was a representative covering the Lancashire area.
After four years, he went to work at Axminster Carpets where he was a representative in the Midlands initially and that was the start of a highly successful career at the iconic Devon company. Robin retired as Axminster’s sales director 42 years later.
"Robin was a real gentleman and a leader of the industry – always professional, highly knowledgeable and with a ready smile and a twinkle in his eye that will be remembered fondly by all who met him over those many years," said David Spragg, editor of The Stocklists.
Robin was known as a great socialiser and a true friend of many inside and outside the flooring industry. He was also a proud family man and was married to Barbara for 58 years and they have two sons, Jonathan and Matthew, and four grandchildren.
Robin had many sporting interests including hockey, cricket, golf and horse racing. He loved his pint of Bathams Bitter which he often enjoyed in the company of his good friends, Tony Hardwick, Peter Harris, Charles Townsend and Jim Bennett.
Robin's funeral will be held at St John's Church, Hagley, on the 24th of February at 2:30 pm, followed by a reception at Hagley Hall. If do plan to attend, please RSVP to beeoakes@virginmedia.com
The family has requested that donations are welcome and will be forwarded to the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK.
