Joseph P. Blake passed away at his home on Tuesday, January 16th. He was 92. A native of Somerville’s Pearl St., he lived his adult life in Medford, with the exception of when his electrical engineering career took him around the world. He was the son of the late Joseph P and the late Mary F (McKinnon) Blake.
Joseph was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend. He graduated from Matignon High School at the head of his class and was the valedictorian. He then studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was in the class of 1954. Upon graduation, he went to work for EG&G, where he worked on the nuclear project, developing triggers for the hydrogen bomb. He participated in tests of the bomb in the Marshall Islands at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls.
Joseph then went on to work for Solid State Products, where he helped create transistors for the lunar landing module, and for Raytheon, where he worked on anti-missile systems. For three decades he ran Blake Associates, which was a distributor of high tech components to the U.S. government and to military contractors.
As a big Bruins fan, Joseph had season tickets for many years. He loved being active in his parish of Saint Joseph.
For all of his professional accomplishments, Joseph really shined as a family man. He made everyone feel so special that they thought they were "Grampy's" favorite. Many relatives and friends took to calling Joseph "Grampy," not just his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Joseph was the beloved husband of the late Eileen M. (Mirabello) Blake. He was the devoted father of Michele Bordieri and husband Anthony of Belmont, Joseph Blake, Jr. and his wife Rose of North Andover, John Blake and his wife Grace of Andover, Maryjane Cangiano and her husband Dr. Albert of Medford, and the late Eileen “Chickie” Blake. He was the loving “Grampy” of 19 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was the loving brother-in-law of Jane Ford and Ann and Joe Cunningham. He is also survived by many devoted nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford on Saturday, January 20th from 9-11 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at Saint Joseph’s Church, 118 High St., Medford at 11:30 AM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joseph’s name to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.