Donald L. Blake

A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald L. Blake, 85, of Newark, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 3, 2022, with Fr. David Sizemore as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Don died at his home, surrounded by the love of his family, on Sunday, August 28, 2022. He was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on October 15, 1936, to the late David Edward and Marie Ida (Porrier) Blake.
Having moved with his young family to the Newark area in 1973, Don worked for many years at the Owens Corning Tec Center. With the help of his friend and longtime business partner, Larry Dixon, Don created both Composix and Force One Industries. Following the sale of Composix, Don and Larry continued their business partnership and developed ArmorSource LLC, one of the world s largest manufacturers of high-performance ballistic life-saving head protection.
A devoted parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Don served on many ministries over the years, including the Ministry of Comfort, Eucharistic Adoration, Eucharistic Minister, and Lector. He was also a longtime member of the Fruit of the Vine Prayer Group, the People of God s Love Community, and served on the boards of St. Gabrielle Radio, LICCO, and St. Paul s Outreach Center.
Don will be greatly missed by God s greatest gifts, his 14 children and their families; Billy Gagne, Gail (Art) Chidester, Michael (Bonnie) Blake, Elaine (Chris) Post, Tim (Marsha) Blake, Colleen (Paul) Knoefel, Susan (Tracy) Trickett, Sean (Patricia) Blake, Kenneth (Barbara) Blake, Kimberly (Mark) Luckeydoo, Amanda Hrabowskie, Angel Blake, Chase Blake, and Loretta Black; 34 grandchildren, Nathan (Amanda) Nguyen, Tammy (Ryan) Bagent, Stephanie (Jason) Snedden, Michael Rene (Phil) Parrish, David (Sheena) Post, Jessica (Carter) Hall, Tim Jr. (Miranda) Blake, Tommy Romine, Erika (Adam) Catt, Sonya (Steve) Fox, Blake (Katie) Knoefel, Nick (Natalie) Knoefel, Jeanne (Nate) Taylor, Ethan Knoefel, Paul Vinny Knoefel, Anna (Cody) Kirkpatrick, Gabriella Knoefel, Emma Knoefel, Kate Ann Knoefel, Bradley (Sha) Martney, Mother Philomena Marie (Children of Mary), Jodie (Shane) Shaw, Becca (Ty) Wirth, Brook (Daulton) Ray, Seth and Shawna Blake, Kyla Blake, Julianna Luckeydoo, Adrianna and Jeffrey VanKirk, Ameriah, Kyriese, and Braxton Hrabowskie, and Tyler Black; 36 great-grandchildren, Alex and Leah Nguyen, Paige (Josh) Allen, Kristen (Larry) McClain, MacKenzie Bagent, Madison (Cole) Craig, Hailey and Alyssa Snedden, Sierra Parrish, Siobhan and Teagan Post, Caspian Hall, Katalina and Avalon Blake, Cidney, Makiah, and Ze Neah Romine, Jaxon and Sadie Catt, Ella, Ethan, Lilly, and Lane Fox, Liam and Enda Jeanne Knoefel, Lauren, Michael, and Noah Knoefel, Lucas and Ava Jeanne Taylor, Bradley, Emmet, and Hazel Martney, Mikayla and Shayna Shaw, and Malachi Wirth; 11 great-great-grandchildren, Austyn and Drake Allen, Bentley and Marly McClain, Davion and Kane Bagent, Ellie and Maya Craig, Aspyn and Thatcher Greene, and Bexley Grant; sisters-in-law, June, Shirley, Sue, Maureen and Barbara; God-daughter, Joannie; very special niece, Celeste; longtime family friend, Terry Dixon; and several other nieces and nephews. Always a devoted father, Don s love extended beyond his own family, and together with his late wife Jeanne, Don, fostered 108 children in his home
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Jeanne S. (Baptista) Blake; siblings David Blake, Muriel (Mel) Allison, Joseph Blake, Richard Blake, and Elaine Blake; and longtime business partner, Larry Dixon.
Friends and family may call at the REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, 3-7 P.M., Friday, September 2, 2022, where a Vigil Service will be held at 7 P.M.
The family requests memorials in Don s name be made to the Children of Mary Emmanuel House of Formation & Retreat House, 8353 Pleasant Chapel Road, Newark, OH 43056.
To share your memory of Don, or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.
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