Obituary: Robert "Joe" Blake, 79, Boilermaker and Member of the Local 29 Union

Obituary from Cahill, Conway-Brodeur Funeral Home.

Robert “Joe” Blake, 79, of Peabody and Melbourne, Fla., and formerly of Saugus, died March 3 at North Shore Medical Center in Salem after a lengthy illness. He was the devoted husband of Virginia (Hafferty) Blake and the loving father of three sons.

Born in Everett, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Senona (Perrine) Blake. He was raised and educated in Everett/Chelsea. He lived throughout the North Shore before retiring to Florida more than 20 years ago and had spent the last three years living in Peabody and Florida.

Joe was employed as a boilermaker and member of the Local 29 union based in Quincy prior to his retirement.

Joe was very athletic and in his youth enjoyed football and baseball and, later in life, golf. He was an avid fan of Boston sports teams and enjoyed watching their games. He also had a love of the arts.

In addition to his loving wife of 53 years, Joe is survived by his three sons, Scott, Eric and his wife Joanne, and Gregory and his wife Christie, all of Peabody.

Also, Joe is survived by his three brothers, Lawrence and Margaret Blake of Parrish, Fla., William Blake of Saugus, and Charles and Dorothy Blake of Saugus, as well as his sister, Dawn Macomber of New Port Richey, Fla. Joe was predeceased by his other sister, Adair Fee, survived by her husband, Thomas Fee of Hopedale.

In addition, Joe is survived by three grandchildren - Christopher, Benjamin, and Logan Blake, all of Peabody - and many nieces and nephews.

Following cremation, Joe’s Memorial Service will be on Saturday, March 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church, 140 Lynn St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be at a later date.