Norman F. Blake

Norman F. Blake, 91, of Howe Street, Ipswich, died Wednesday, March 29, 2023 in his home following his lengthy illness. He was the husband of the late Vera A. (Nelson) Blake who passed in July of 2019.

Norman was born in Barre, VT on August 10, 1931, son of the late George F. and Mary Blake, and was raised in Springfield Vermont and attended public schools. At the age of twenty-one he enlisted in the Army during the Korean Conflict and served in Korea as an Army medic. Following is discharge he came to Gloucester and was employed for several years as a commercial fisherman and deck boss on the F/V Flying Cloud. Norman then moved to Wyoming where he went to work for several years as a lumberjack and a hunting guide. The Blakes married in 1969 in Idaho, Falls, Idaho, then returned to the North Shore and made their home on Howe Street, Ipswich in 1977. Norm then returned to sea and went to work as a deck boss of the F/V Tremont out of Boston. Most recently he was employed as a deck hand on the Yankee Fleet's vessels out of Gloucester.

Norman was an avid and accomplished big game hunter, a recreational fisherman and sports fan. He took exceptional joy in sharing with his grandchildren and watching them as they grew.

He was a longtime member of the Cape Ann Sportsman Club in Gloucester.

He is survived by three sons, Mark A. Blake of Ipswich, Michael E. Blake and his wife Marilyn of Newton, NH, Layton G. Blake and his wife Jennifer of Amesbury; five grandchildren, Felicia, Nicholas and Alexis Blake all of Amesbury, Ashley and Lindsey Blake both of Newton, NH; great grandchildren, Sadie and Barrett and a brother, Donald Blake of Swanzey, NH. He was the father of the late Wayne Blake formerly of Gloucester; grandfather of the late Kyle Blake formerly of Wyoming and brother of the late Daniel Blake formerly of upstate NY and Sharleene Patnaude formerly of Unity, NH.

Family and friends are respectfully welcomed to visiting hours Sunday, April 2, from 4 to 7 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. Private interment services will be held at a later date.