Ron Oakes

Ronald W. Oakes (November 23, 1933 – May 29, 2007) was a Canadian-American sportscaster who called was the play-by-play announcer for several hockey teams as well as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

Biography Oakes was born on November 23, 1933, in Winnipeg. He got his start in broadcasting in 1955 at CKRC, where he called games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Winnipeg Warriors. From 1964 to 1966, he worked for CBR in Calgary. When the team moved east and became the Calgary Cowboys, Oakes was given the job of publicity director, but announcing duties were given to local broadcaster Eric Bishop. From 1977 to 1978, Oakes was the radio and television announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks.

In 1983, Oakes returned to Winnipeg as the play-by-play announcer for Winnipeg Blue Bombers games on CFRW. He retired from broadcasting after the season and returned to San Diego, where he ran a travel business.

In 2001, Oakes was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy. He died on May 29, 2007, at his home in San Diego.