John M. Blake of Woodstock, VT passed away on April 13, 2017 at home surrounded by his family.
John was born on May 5, 1933 in Hanover New Hampshire to Maitland Blake and Christine Whitney Blake. He graduated from Woodstock High School in 1951 where he was a member of the football, baseball and basketball teams. He also played the French horn in the band and was a member of the Vermont All State Band. John married his high school sweetheart Joyce Berry on October 3, 1953.
John proudly served in the US Army, 720th Military Police Battalion from May, 1953 – April 1955 and was stationed in Tokyo Japan for 1 ½ years. Following his discharge from the Army he worked in the family business, F.A. Richmond, Inc. with his parents until his retirement in 1997. Post retirement John and Joyce spent summers at the Red Apple Campground in Arundel, Maine where he could often be found enjoying a rousing game of horseshoes with his buddy Bob.
John was an active member of the Woodstock Masonic Lodge, was a past Master and served as Secretary for many years. He was also a member of the Ora E. Paul American Legion Post, Mt. Sinai Shrine, Grey Camp and Woodstock Gun Club.
John or "Bapa" as his grandchildren called him was a "great" grandfather. He took pride and enjoyment in each of his grandchildren's activities and interests and was often found at their sporting events cheering them on. He loved taking his grandchildren to Moosehead Lake, Maine, Grey Camp and Fenway Park. His love of baseball and the Red Sox was passed along to each of his 5 daughters, so much so that they have been known to travel the country to watch the Sox. John considered himself fortunate to have attended Game 6 of the 1975 World Series and Game 1 of the 2004 World Series.
John is survived by his wife of 64 years Joyce (Berry) Blake, his daughters Gail Blake of White River Junction, VT, Diane Blake of Williston, VT, Sandra Zonay (Tom) of Hartland, VT, Judy Farrell (Greg) of Wilder, VT and Cindy Blake (Andy) of Goleta, CA. His grandchildren Christopher Farrell (Loriann), Alex Zonay, Justin Zonay, Margaret Zonay and Emma Shapiro, great-grandchildren Alice and Hazel Farrell and his granddogs, Sadie, JJ, Wally, Jasper, Roxie and Otis. He was predeceased by his parents, his grandson Samuel Blake Shapiro and granddog, Otto. He is also survived by his brother, Keith Blake of South Pomfret, VT, sisters, Susan Harlow of Woodstock, VT, Joyce Ruiz of Jericho, VT and Mary Fullerton of South Woodstock, VT and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Samuel Blake Shapiro Memorial Fund at the Santa Barbara Sea Center. Kindly make checks payable to "The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History" and write "in memory of John Blake SBSMF" on the memo line. Checks should be mailed to 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 or donations can be made online at www.sbnature.org.
A graveside service will be held at the Taftsville Burial Grounds on Saturday, May 13th at 1:00pm with a reception following at the Thompson Senior Center
We would like to express our gratitude for the compassionate care and support John received from Bayada Hospice caregivers Heather, Cathy, Sarah, Katie and Laura as well as his other caregivers Kathleen Danforth and Sherri McMahon.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cabot Funeral Home. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com