Robert Blake Obituary, Death – Robert Peter Blake, 77, passed away in Gardner’s Heywood Hospital on November 14, 2022. He was the son of the late Fred Blake and Mabel Blake and was born in Gardner on July 28, 1945. Gardner High School is where Robert attended school while growing up there. He was described as being “calm and well-mannered, makes a loyal friend, and an excellent listener” in his yearbook, traits he maintained with him throughout his life. A real gentleman, he was. Before joining the U.S. Army and serving for three years in the Vietnam War, Bob worked at the Iandoli Grocery Store during his time in high school.
He went back to Iandoli’s after being released before joining the Gardner Fire Department in 1974. After 30 years, he (also known as “the colonel”) left the fire department. For his work as a handyman and lawn care provider, Bob was well known in Gardner. Bob was a Gardner V.F.W. and PACC member as well as the former commander of the Gardner American Legion Post #129. He was a die-hard supporter of both the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox. He participated in both the Boy Scouts and the North County American Legion Baseball team. He cherished taking vacations with his friends and family.
He leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Anne Marie Blake, three sons, Timothy Blake and his wife Jennifer of Acton, CDR Sammie D. Green USN and his wife Elizabeth of Cape Canaveral, FL, and Corey B. Green of Minersville, PA. He also leaves behind a daughter, Dawn M. Green of Gardner, and eight grandchildren, including Andrea Travers of Nashua, NH, Justin McPike of Gardner, Ashley M. Green of Warren, RI, Destinie He also takes Amber and Duncan, his dogs, with him. Bob was preceded in death by his sister Joan Ann Richard and brother Raymond Blake. On November 21, 2022, at 11:30 a.m., a funeral service will be place at the Mack Family Funeral Home in Gardner, Massachusetts (105 Central Street). Following, a burial will take place in Winchendon’s Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
The funeral home will have visiting hours on Sunday, November 20, 2022 from 2 to 5 p.m. The Gardner Animal Shelter at 899 W. Broadway, Gardner, MA 01440 or the Gardner Firefighters Benefit Association at 70 City Hall Ave., Gardner, MA 01440 are two organizations to which memorial donations in Robert’s honor are suggested by the family in lieu of flowers. Please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com to offer condolences online. The arrangements are being handled by Mack Family Funeral Home in Gardner at 105 Central Street. Funeral directors Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, and Douglas M. Stone. Visit our flower shop to place a memorial tree order or send flowers to the family in honor of Robert Peter Blake.
