Robert Barry Blake
October 26, 1954 ~ June 28, 2023
Robert Barry Blake, 68, of Newburgh, NY passed away at home unexpectedly on June 28, 2023. Bob was raised in the Bronx by his parents, Robert Miles Blake and Mae Adele Kinahan Blake. His time with them was cut short at a young age, and he now is at peace as he rejoins them in heaven. They provided him a lineage of having 100% Irish DNA that he was so proud of and quick to share. This led to his interest in exploring his own ancestry.
Bob was a kind and loving person who made everyone feel special. He was a beloved member of the Hollopeter family who brought love and warmth to all of the family's milestones and holidays. Clementine, Bill, Andrew and Meghan cherished the many years of love, friendship and happiness that Bob blessed them with. Bobia, as he was called by Andrew and Meghan, will be deeply missed at future Hollopeter holidays and events. Bob's kindness attracted many close friends throughout his life from childhood through his adult years. He has many friends that will remember him with happy memories of how he touched their lives. He leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness. His special loving friendship with Kathleen Sullivan was a highlight of Bob's life as they daily shared many long conversations and love for each other. Kathleen will miss Bob's engaging and happy interactions.
Friendships were the center of Bob's world, and he cherished the time he spent with everyone. Bob was also blessed with many gifts including; a great sense of humor with a quick wit, generosity to all, clever conversationalist with a mastery of the English language, and an unassuming diverse intellect and memory of many subjects and events. Entertaining was also a forté of Bob's. He could set an elegant table and provide a delicious meal.
Bob enjoyed a very successful career as a legal secretary in several large NYC law firms. He was also an avid collector of antiquities and an expert on the history that they played. His knowledge of history was extensive of the world's great empires of the past. He had a special love for the Queen and the history of the English and Romanov monarchies. His love of old movies, both the classics and sci-fi, were evident in his ability to cite lines from them and list the actors with background information on all of them. His quest for knowledge continued throughout his life. In 2013 one of Bob's dreams of purchasing an old home in Newburgh was realized. He was quite the handyman! His renovations were not completed, but his pride of his home was evident in this blog. https://newburghrestoration.com/blog/2013/11/20/meet-a-newburgher-bob-blake/
Bob will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. He was a friend to all with his vibrant spirit, kindness, wit, and generosity which will forever be an inspiration to those who had the privilege of knowing him. As we say our final goodbyes, let us celebrate the beautiful life of Bob Blake and be thankful that we were part of it.
Visitation will be held at Brooks Funeral Home on Sunday, July 9 from 2 - 5 PM. A graveside service will take place at St. John's Cemetery, Queens, on Monday, July 10 at 11 AM.