Michael John Blake – 50th Reunion Essay

Michael John Blake

Date of Death: 11-Feb-2010

College: Pierson

(This memorial is reprinted from the Class Website.)

Michael J. Blake, 62, of Wakefield died on Thursday, February 11 at his home. Born in San Pedro, California on June 21, 1947 he was the son of the late Joseph and Frances (Thompson) Blake. Mr. Blake was a graduate of San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, CA, class of 1965. He was also a graduate of Yale University, 1969 and Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University, 1973. He served in the US Army Intelligence Unit during Vietnam and was stationed in Da Nang. He was also the recipient of the Bronze Star.

In 1973 Mr. Blake started working at the 1st National Bank of Boston, now known as Bank of America. For nine years he worked in the International Lending Division, first in Argentina, then as General Manager in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Puerto Rico. Returning to headquarters in 1987 to the transportation lending division he focused on railroads and airlines. He retired in 2002 from Bank of America.

Mr. Blake and his wife, Gwenn Therrien, spent their early married years in Latin America, and had opportunities to travel extensively. Some of their favorite places were Machu Picchu in Peru, Iguazu Falls in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, and various Caribbean islands. Mr. Blake attended and was active in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Wakefield. He was the treasurer of the Friends of the Beebe Memorial Library and had volunteered at the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry.

An avid golfer, he made a hole in one in 1985 at the Rockleigh Golf Course. He also enjoyed reading a wide variety of books.