JOHN THORNE BLAKE

1923 - 2018

JOHN THORNE BLAKE John Thorne Blake passed away January 7, 2018, in Madrid, Spain. His funeral was held Friday, Jan. 19, in San Jeronimo El Real, Madrid, Spain. John was interred alongside his beloved maternal Abrines family, where his wondrous life began, in Tangier, Morocco. John was a dedicated writer, history expert, voracious reader, and connoisseur of jazz music. He was born on April 5, 1923, the eldest son of Rosita Abrines Blake and Maxwell Blake (US Consul General), in Tangier, Morocco. John was sent from Tangier, with his younger brother Elisha Roman Blake, to Lisbon, Portugal, on a primitive freighter, and then on to the USA in 1940, during wartime. He then attended The Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, MO, and after World War II, graduated from the University of Kansas. John served in the European Theater of World War II, and later became a correspondent for Time magazine. John was a member of Sons of the Revolution, and was personally familiar with many historic figures, one of whom was Ernest Hemingway. He was later employed by the US government and was assigned to cover/monitor events in Syria, Haiti, Argentina, Portugal, and Spain, among others. John was married to Patricia Murray Blake, and was a dedicated and loving father to three children: Rosita Murray Blake (Luis Gonzalez), Madrid, Spain; Michael Murray Blake (Mary Lee), Washington DC; and Maxwell Murray Blake, Scranton, PA. John was predeceased by his parents, his wife Patricia Murray Blake, beloved brother Elisha (Eli/Max) Blake, and two half sisters, Ruth Blake Hopwood, Tangier, Morocco, and Diana Blake Hayward, California, USA. He leaves behind six grandchildren: Lauren Blake, Francisco de Asis Gonzalez, Luis Gonzalez, John Blake Gonzalez, Elisha Blake and Georgia Blake, and a large and loving family consisting of cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as many treasured friends, residing in Spain, Morocco, and the USA. John T. Blake was a brave icon and an educated and cultured man from an almost vanished era. He frequently wrote about and recalled details of both personal and historic events with humor and perceptive depth. John had a deep and lasting affiliation with The American Legation in Tangier, including writing autobiographical books that chronicle his life as a youngster growing up there, surrounded by his family and dear childhood friends. John's life story is now complete and his final daily glass of tinto or cerveza has been enjoyed, but his journey will always be remembered with love and respect by all who knew him. John will forever be missed by his loving family and friends, who will surely raise a glass to him with good cheer and in honor of a life well lived.