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Albert Frederick George Hawkes

Albert Frederick George Hawkes, 81, was born on April 25, 1942, in Perth Road, Ontario, Canada, and passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 16, 2024, after a short illness. He was the beloved husband of Pollyanne Iowa (Brown) Hawkes and the proud and loved father of Tracey Lee Meinecke (Phil) of Edmond and Albert Jeremy Hawkes (Jaime) of Mustang.

Albert grew up in the 1000 Island region of Ontario, Canada, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1963. He served two tours in Vietnam (including one with the CAP Marines) and 27 years altogether, retiring as a Master Gunnery Sergeant. He became a police officer in Oklahoma City in 1986, but did not read the fine print in his USMC contract. He was called back to active duty as a recruiter instructor (which was his MOS) and ended up in Hartford. Retiring for the second time, he became a police officer in the town of Clinton. He served there for 20 years, forced to retire in 2003 due to an aortic dissection repair. He met his wife, Pollyanne, there, and they were married on Oct. 21, 2000, in Clinton. He also served on the Clinton Board of Selectmen and was active in Republican politics.

After retiring, they moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, in 2003, where he happily built himself a big workshop and refinished and fixed furniture, had garage sales, and enjoyed life with his Jack Daniels and a cigar. He was Commander of the Guthrie American Legion Post 88 in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and in charge of the 89ers' celebration for a few years in the 2010s. He was also a member of the CAP Marines Association, the VFW in Clinton and Edmond, the Marine Corps League, and the Marine Corps Association. He was active in veterans’ organizations and was proud to have served in the Corps.

He lived with Polly and their six kitties, who miss him every day and his smiles and laugh. “Every day is a good day” was his motto. He is also survived by his brother, Brian Hawkes of Kingston, Ontario; his sisters, Edith Joan Roantree and Brenda Smalbill, both of Kingston. Also, he is survived by his seven grandsons, Corey (Krystle) Meinecke, Justin Meinecke, Matthew (Katie) Meinecke, Michael (Rachel) Meinecke, all of Oklahoma, Albert Joeseph (Carly) Hawkes of Clinton, Dalton Cole Hawkes stationed in El Paso, Texas, as an Army Medic, and Dylan Stone Hawkes of New York; and 17 great-grandchildren, who all live in Oklahoma.

He was predeceased by his sister Sally and his brother Paul, as well as his ex-wife Gayle Rennie Hawkes. His parents were Albert Edward Hawkes and Katie Hughes Hawkes of Kingston. He was also predeceased by his best friends, Bobby Herbst (June) of Clinton, James Dunn (Ramona) of Edmond, and on Dec. 26, 2023, George Crawford (Lynne). He missed them every day.

His funeral was on Jan. 23 at Baggerly Funeral Home, 930 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034. A reception to celebrate his life followed.

In the spring, there will be additional memorials in Clinton and Kingston, Ontario, to celebrate his life before he is interned at Arlington Cemetery in Washington to be with his fellow Marines.

Donations in his honor may be made to Tunnels to Towers (T2T.org); Disabled Veterans of America; Wounded Warriors; Free to Live (POBox 5884 Edmond OK 73085) or Forgotten Felines (153 Horse Hill Rd, Westbrook CT 06498) or to any American Legion or VFW.

At ease, my beloved Marine. Your tour of duty is over.