Blake Groulx

1997 - 2024

Blake Joseph Groulx
Blake Joseph Groulx, 27, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, died on September 8, 2024, of cardiac issues while finishing the last stretch of the City of Lakes Half Marathon in Minneapolis.
Blake was born in Midland, Michigan on April 2, 1997. He graduated from Midland High School in 2015 and from Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Packaging. In 2018, Blake worked as a Packaging Intern at TreeHouse Foods in Oak Brook, Illinois, and in 2019 at Dow in Midland, Michigan. In 2020, Blake started his career at General Mills as a Packaging Engineer in Minneapolis. It was in this city where Blake found his true home, where he felt embraced by the richness of its diversity, liveliness, and acceptance.
Blake embodied these same traits and lived to build a longer table. A perpetual host, Blake's table was always set and his bar always stocked ready for family and friends old and new. His warm smile was inviting to all in the room, and when he threw his head back laughing, his roar was contagious. He was the straw that stirred the drink, that energized the crowd, but that somehow made each person feel seen, heard, special, and loved. He was passionate about and actively involved in Betty's Family Network, General Mills's LGBTQ+ employee network. Blake's love language was quality time and in countless ways he created memories with his family and friends whether it was through his cooking, sibling book club, community service, hiking, camping (preferably in the Fall due to the decreased likelihood of bugs), tennis, pickleball, running, traveling, hanging out at the cottage, or game nights. He would pull out that red box, We're Not Really Strangers, and say, "If you don't cry by the end, you didn't win." He could bring down the house on the dance floor (even after ripping his pants), belt out karaoke, or sit with you in the quiet of the morning while sipping coffee. If only he could have created more hours in the day for his people, he surely would have.
Blake's people included his sisters from whom he was largely inseparable. Whether a seeming language only they spoke or an exchange of knowing glances that erupted into laughter, they shared a bond from birth that strengthened into the best of friendships as they became adults. Where one was, the others were. Blake was their biggest fan and loving supporter.
Blake was fortunate in his life to have found his person, James. In each other, they found their best selves and built a relationship full of authenticity, reciprocity, humor, security, trust, and love. Their families witnessed both their independent and combined growth and watched with joy as they flourished. Blake and James discovered their love of musicals and created a tradition of sushi dinners before show nights. They would have celebrated their two-year anniversary next week and no doubt Blake would have been impeccably dressed but James knows Blake is "looking good, feeling gorgeous" wherever he is now.
Blake loved watching funny TV and movies with his dad and they particularly loved Seinfeld and Mrs. Doubtfire. As Blake grew older, his relationship with his mom changed from one of parent-child to one of friendship and adventure. Up for anything, they looked to each other to be travel buddies, pickleball partners, and joyful companions full of laughter and smartass banter. With personalities that mirrored each other, their exchanges could be zesty!, but their laughs were louder and their hugs were harder.
Creative and artistic, Blake was a gifted artist. While a senior in high school, he won the 2015 Congressional Art Competition for Michigan's Congressional Fourth District with his charcoal illustration, "Portrait of Evie," which was displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year. His drawings hang on his walls at home and of those of his loved ones. In the same creative vein, Blake loved to decorate for Halloween and the first day after Labor Day was fair game for decorations to go up! His family and friends always waited to see that year's costume and jack-o-lanterns.
Blake is survived by his mother Dr. Sandra Kaye Smith, his father Joseph Groulx, siblings Bryan Groulx, Morgan (Ted) Matuszewski, and Madelyn (Ruturaj Jadeja) Groulx, and the love of his life, James Menden. He is also survived by his niece and nephew, Sophia and Jace Matuszewski, who he loved so much and of who he was so proud, his paternal grandmother, Elizabeth ("Grandma Groulx") Groulx, Kathy ("Nonie") VanSteinburg, and his many aunts, uncles, cousins, and so many dearly loved friends. Blake was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William Groulx, and his maternal grandparents, Virginia Sebela and Bernard Smith.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024, from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at Northeast Chapel, 2901 Johnson Street N.E., Minneapolis, MN 55418. Celebration of Life service to follow at 6:00PM. A private ceremony will be held in Michigan at a later date for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Blake's honor to The Bridge for Youth (bridgeforyouth.org) or the American Heart Association (heart.org). The family also encourages heart health screenings and regular visits with your health care professional.