Harvey W. Blake, 85, of Boothbay Harbor, died Sept. 23 at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor after a period of failing health.
Harvey was born May 22, 1924 in Boothbay, the son of Leo E. and Freda Joy Blake, and attended Boothbay Harbor High School.
On March 25, 1944, he married Geraldine Pinkham in Boothbay Harbor.
After repeated attempts to join each branch of the military during WWII, he was drafted into the Army in September of 1945, serving as a cook in stateside camps briefly before his honorable discharge.
Returning home, he began work as a welder in many of the local shipyards, which he worked for many years. After his retirement, he became the night manager for the Flagship Inn from 1986 to 2006.
A longtime volunteer firefighter, he was a member of the Boothbay Harbor Fire Department, and for many years was the cook for their monthly suppers.
He was known for his love of animals, having several pet raccoons among other domestic animals, most recently his dog Trixi, who he loved dearly. With an artistic flair, he was known to sketch at the dinner table, and made lamps from scrap materials.
He is predeceased by a daughter, Carol Blake Orne in 2008; grandson, Michael Orne in 2004; and son-in-law, Russell Colby.
Survivors include is wife of 65 years Geraldine “Deanie” Blake of Boothbay Harbor; daughters, Cathy Blake and husband Gary of Boothbay, and Barbara Colby of Gardiner; grandchildren, Lisa Orne and fiancé Richard Hallinan of Boothbay Harbor, Teresa Bryer, Tyler Blake and wife Lynn, all of Boothbay, and Amy Goodwin and husband Dusty of East Boothbay; brother, Howard K. Blake of Lincoln; 11 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
Graveside service 11 a.m., Thurs., Oct. 1, at the Evergreen Cemetery, Boothbay.
Should friends desire, memorial donations in Harvey’s memory may be made to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556, or to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 641, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
Condolences for the family may be sent to simmonsharringtonhall@myfairpoint.net.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
