Robert Edward Blake

BUCKSPORT - On December 21, 2015, Robert Edward Blake, 73, went home to be with his Savior Lord after an 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on January 13, 1942 in Gray, the son of Carleton Blake and Helen Pettingill Blake.

Bob and his wife, Shirley Reed Blake, were married at Boston University, Marsh Chapel on December 18, 1965. Last Friday they celebrated 50 years of marriage. He served in the US Army from 1969-1972 as a Chaplin stationed at Fort Dix New Jersey. One year in Vietnam, then Fort Eustis Virginia. He also served 10 years in Naval Reserve prior to Active Duty in the Army.

Bob graduated from Monmouth Academy 1961, Boston University 1965 with a BA degree, BU School of Theology 1969, and University of Maine MA in social work 1978. He was ordained an Elder of the United Methodist Church in 1969. He served full time churches in Old Orchard Beach 1966-1967, Peaks Island 1967-1969, Strong and Kingfield 1972-1974, Corinna and Hartland 1974-1978, and part time churches over the later years at Robinson and Perry, Brooksville and Penobscot, East Bucksport UMC and Sandy Point Congregational Church. He also worked for the state of Maine about 25 years as a social worker in Washington and Hancock counties; then for Eastern Area on Aging 5+ years and the state Adoption Services.

Bob loved books. He became a trustee and eventually President of the Buck Memorial Library, helping to obtain crucial grant money to fix the outside walls of the building. He also worked as Hancock County Hospice volunteer and as a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Ellsworth, on several committees.

Robert is predeceased by his parents and his sisters; Betty Skilling, Genevieve Gafowsky, and Margaret Schnur.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, his daughter, Heather Blake and her children Benjamin, Meaghan, and Khaleb; his son Russell Blake and wife Julie and their children, Jasper and Zoe and his daughter, Kerry Vigevani and her husband John and their children Sarah, Leah and Savannah. He also leaves two nephews which were like his brothers; Gary Crosse and Richard Skilling and their wives Rozaline Crosse and Kathy Skilling.

The service will be on Saturday, December 26, 2015 at 12 noon with visiting hours before the service between 10:30-11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. In lieu of flower, donation in memory of Bob may be made to the St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 175 Downeast Highway, P.O. Box 145, Ellsworth, ME 04605 or the Buck Memorial Library 47 Main St. P.O. Box DD Bucksport, ME 04416. Arrangements are in the care of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home 28 Elm St. Bucksport. www.mitchelltweedie-young.com