Robert M. Blake

Robert M. Blake, 91, of Wappingers Falls, NY passed away peacefully at home on November 7, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Bob was born in Brooklyn, NY, son of Joseph and Hanora (nee Maguire) Blake on July 21, 1933. Raised in Brooklyn, he graduated from St. Augustine's High School in Brooklyn where he was inducted into the Leo Honor Society and was captain of the basketball team. He then attended and received his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY and subsequently received his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University. Bob also was a licensed NY State Professional Engineer.
Bob was employed by IBM Corporation for more than 37 years, retiring as a Senior Engineer. During his career, he was assigned to both Technical and Management positions in product design and development starting with early transistor circuit design through mainframe memory subsystem development and many other technologies in between.
More than anything else, Bob cherished the time he spent with his beloved wife of over 68 years, Rosemary, and with his children and their families. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren and their many accomplishments. Known to all as a true jack-of-all-trades, Bob had an uncanny ability to fix or solve just about any problem. He spent countless hours helping his children and extended family with household and automobile projects, always ready to lend a hand. There was rarely a challenge that Bob couldn't solve, and his unwavering support and expertise were deeply appreciated by everyone.
Bob loved listening to the timeless music of Frank Sinatra, and was a devoted fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers and then the New York Mets, always following their games with enthusiasm. His love for these activities, along with his ever-present generosity and willingness to help others, made him a cherished presence in the lives of all who knew him.
In addition to his beloved wife, Rosemary, Bob is survived by his four sons and one daughter and their spouses - Robert and Linda Blake of Endicott, NY, Michael Blake of Wappingers Falls, NY, Thomas and Gail Blake of Austin, TX, David and Holly Blake of Newark, DE, and Kathleen and Harold Wiegard of Farmington, CT.
Bob will be greatly missed by his 10 grandchildren - Erin Mukundan, Kristen Griffiths and her husband Kevin, Daniel Wiegard, David Wiegard, Brian Wiegard, Connor Blake, Caitlyn Blake, Hannah Blake and her husband Ryan Duever, Kelly Blake, and Jacqueline Wiegard, as well as his 4 great grandchildren - Ryan, Maya, and Devan Mukundan, and Aria Griffiths.
Bob is also survived by his brother, Joseph Blake; his sisters, Sr. Miriam Blake, Eileen D'Amico, and Barbara Rath; as well as his brother-in-law Joseph Benigno and his wife Barbara, along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Sr. Elizabeth Blake; his sister Patricia Cregg and her husband Bernie; his brother Daniel Blake and his wife Joan; his brother Kevin Blake and his wife Tina; his sister Regina Guastaferro and her husband Angelo; his sister-in-law Desi Blake; his brothers-in-law Joe D'Amico and Bill Rath; and his sister-in-law Santa Mae Theysohn and her husband Jack.
Calling hours will be held on Monday November 11, 2024 from 3-6 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc. 895 Route 82 Hopewell Junction, NY. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday November 12, 2024 at 9:45 am at St. Columba Church 835 Route 82 Hopewell Junction, NY, followed by burial at St. Peter's Cemetery in Poughkeepsie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Bob's name to the American Heart Association or St. Jude's Research Hospital.