Robert Lee Blake Sr.

1937 - 2022

WATERLOO - Robert Lee Blake, Sr., 84, passed away peacefully Sunday (April 3, 2022) in the comfort of his home, with his loving and supporting family by his side.

Friends and family are invited to call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday (April 8) at Mull Funeral Home, 113 Virginia Street, Waterloo. A funeral mass will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Mary's Church, Waterloo. At the conclusion of the mass, their will be full military honors.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made in Roberts' memory to Hospice and Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413.

Bob was born on April 5, 1937 in Phillipsburg, Pa., the son of the late Thomas N. and Edna Galeski – Blake, Jr. He was a 1955 graduate of Phillipsburg High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959, as a Military Policeman at the Seneca Army Depot in Romulus. In the 1960's, Bob worked at a number of jobs, including truck driving, for businessman Red Wadhams. In 1969, he found his permanent career as project and safety coordinator with Sessler Wrecking in Waterloo .He worked there until
moving to North Carolina in 1992, where he was safety manager for ADP Marshall, Inc. in Raleigh. Before moving to North Carolina, Bob, along with his wife, Betty and son, Robert, Jr. were co-owners of the Way Back Inn in Big Moose, N.Y. for six years. In his retirement, he served as a consultant to Glaxo Wellcome Pharmaceutical in North Carolina and worked safety for the Sessler Company at the Petro Truck Stop, in Waterloo, until November, 2015.

Bob was a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers. He was a member of St. Mary's parish, where he served as lector and Eucharistic minister in Waterloo, Garner, N.C., Sylvan Beach and the nursing homes. He served on St. Mary's Parish Council and the Buildings and Grounds Committee in Waterloo, Garner, N.C., Sylvan Beach and North Bay. He was the tri-county chairman of the Finger Lakes Youth for Christ Council. He served as chairman of the 1976 Bicentennial Committee and the co-chairman of the Seneca County Bicentennial Committee. From 1977-1981, he was a village trustee in Waterloo. He was a life member of the,Waterloo Library and Historical Society and a life member of JCI International Senator #14288.

His biggest impact, was in his membership in various civic organizations. Bob was a member of the Waterloo and Camden Lions Clubs for 15 years. He was involved in founding the Waterloo Chapter of Jaycees, serving as president. He was the District Jaycees' president and State Chairman of the N.Y. Jaycees for four years.

He is survived by his wife, Betty J. (Yonge) Blake, whom he married on September 19, 1959; daughter, Wendy Marie (Stephen) Herbst of Blossvale, N.Y.; sons, Robert Lee Blake Jr. of Lake Placid and Gregg Thomas Blake of N.Y.; grandchildren, Megan (Jay) Henry of Rensselaer, N.Y., Brittany (Jeff) Staley of King George, Va., Colin (Michaella) Blake of Peoria, Ariz., Caleb (Emily) Herbst of Epping, N.H., Conner (Erika) Blake of Peoria, Ariz., Morgan (Lieutenant Steven) Matoskey of Washington D.C. and Emily (William) Finch of Chittenango, N.Y.; six great-grandchildren, John J. Blake, Blake C. Henry, Freddie Finch IV, Nolan W. Herbst, Savannah A. Finch and Hayley E. Blake; sisters, Loretta (Charles) Hoover of Philadelphia, Pa. and Martha (Guido) Turner of Clearfield, Pa.; a sister-in-law, Betty Blake of Union, Ky.; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Rita Orosz; and his brother, Ronald Blake.

The family would like to thank the Hospice nurses, for the compassion and great care they gave to Robert.