James Anthony Blake, Jr. of Fairview, Texas passed away on December 10, 2022 at the age of 80. He was born on November 30, 1942 to James Anthony and Suzanne (Scannapieco) Blake, Sr. in Hempstead, New York. James grew up in the New York area. He served as an electrician’s apprentice when he was 16 and he joined the Navy at 18. James served honorably in the Navy for four years achieving the rank of petty officer and working within the anti-submarine squadron 30. He joined Grumman Aerospace in Florida after his service. He moved back to NY in the late 60’s to open his electrical contracting business.
In 1971, Jim met and married the love of his life, his wife of 50 years, Shirin Hawthorne and they had three children. Before his marriage to Shirin, he was married to Ramona Vandette and they had three children. Jim and Shirin moved to Pennsylvania where he worked as a plant manager for Grumman Allied Industries and had a major role in acquiring a major contract with the USPS. He finished his career at David R. Webb Corp. During that time, he also served in the Coast Guard reserves. Their 40 years in Pennsylvania were filled with many wonderful and eventful memories with family and friends. Jim led an extraordinary life in many ways and was a man of significant intellect cultivating over many years a passion for studying the word of God, literature, music and the performing arts of all genres, science, and the great outdoors. These different interests inspired him to document his experiences through the composition of poetry, music, painting, and drawing. He always found time to serve others and entertain his family and friends with his show stopping trumpet playing. His greatest pride was as a husband and father, who loved his children and family to no end. From his many life experiences and unwavering conviction in his faith, Jim was a trusted sounding-board and confidant for his family and friends. Those nearest and dearest to him always knew that his love and compassion, through it all, was ever present.
James is survived by his wife, Shirin Blake of Fairview, Texas; son, James Blake, III of Fairview, Texas; daughters, Lisa Ann Blake and husband John, of Aurora, Colorado, April Renee Blake Pierce and husband, Tim, of Redlands, California, and their mother Ramona, Heather Christine Blake Sutton and husband, Austin of London, United Kingdom, and Jennifer Grace Blake Wortel and husband, Raymond of Austin, Texas; son, Timothy Francis Blake and wife, Cathy Frahm Blake of Golden, Colorado; 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; brother, Kenneth Arthur Blake and wife, Terumi of Montgomery, New York; sister, Maryanne Ferrari and husband, Vinny of Fairview, Texas; sister-in-law Mary Louise Lancaster and husband Jim Lancaster of Vienna Virginia and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 22, 2022 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
The service will be livestreamed at the following link; https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/james-anthony-blake-jr. After the service, the recorded livestream will be available at the same link location.