Joe Blake

We are creating this memory page in honor of our father, Joe (Ronald Leonard) Blake. He was 79 and had been battling Alzheimer's Disease and then he was hit with Covid-19. He was always a "fighter" but just could not beat this. Joe was born on January 25th, 1941 to William and Shirley Blake. His siblings include Ethel, Corrine, Velma, and Laurence while Eva, Sylvia, and their parents were predeceased. He was married to Barbara Brown until 2007 and together they had three children, Melissa, Melanie, and Joel, and four grandchildren, Tyler, Danielle, Jackson, and Jason. Joe worked as a heavy-duty mechanic at Johns Manville until joining Syncrude Canada Ltd. in 1982 making the move to Fort McMurray, Alberta. There he joined he Syncrude Fire team and proudly served for 13 years. Joe was a competitor at heart competed in the World Police and Fire Games where he earned several medals for his efforts. Joe was always trying new ventures and businesses, but his Après Sport bar and grill give him a chance to enjoy special sports memorabilia including Muhammad Ali boxing gloves and an original Montreal Forum time clock! He was always physically active and loved broomball, hockey, baseball, running, and later in life even tried downhill skiing and scuba diving! In addition to the bar, Joe's entrepreneurial spirit lead him to open many small businesses including the Mohawk gas station, auto repair shop and car lot, and concession stand at Gregoire Lake. Joe was a hard worker and always provided very well for his family. He was a charismatic, happy, and kind-hearted man, and everyone seemed to "know Joe". His remains will be returned to the Danville Cemetary when the pandemic has passed and travel is easier.