Obituary of Harold W. Blake, Jr.

Harold (Hank) W. Blake Jr. of Billerica, MA died March 29, 2024, at The VA Hospital in West Roxbury, MA just a few days after celebrating his 88^th birthday with his family. Lifelong resident of Billerica born on March 23, 1936, he was a respected local entrepreneur and well-known member of the community. He was the son of Harold (Hank) Blake Sr., Billerica Police Badge #1 retired and Celia Blake. He was a local athlete that played baseball, football and was a Knights of Columbus State Golf Champion 1984-1986. Hank served in the US Air Force stationed in Fairbanks Alaska from 1953-1958. In that time, he was part of the Strategic Air Command and Staff Sergeant to a squadron of B-47 Stratojet bombers during the Cold War and Korean War. Eventually returning home to start a family and business - Blake Glass & Aluminum proudly served the Merrimack Valley for 58 years.

His wife Geradine (Gerri) A. Blake and he had been married for 58 years. Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters: Genelle A. Morris and Nicole M. Miner, wife of Robert Miner of Chelmsford, MA. Son, Harold (Hank) W. Blake III of Burlington, MA. Grandfather to Michaela Morris, Matthew Miner and Mollie Miner. Brother to Barbara O’Leary and Sandra McKenna wife of Richie McKenna of Billerica, MA and to the late Donald Blake, Pauline Blake, Alan Blake, Richard Blake, Jean Surprenant and Jacqueline St. Louis. Proud uncle to many nieces and nephews and loving owner to two Lhasa Apsos: Lucy and Annie.

Family wishes to extend special thanks to his nurse practitioner and close family friend Eileen Batchelor of Tewksbury, MA for being, in his words, his “Guardian Angel.”

Funeral mass will be held at St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish in St.  Andrew’s Church, 45 Talbot Ave., North Billerica. Thursday, April 4, at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours will be held, Wednesday, April 3, in the Burns Funeral Home, 354 Boston Rd., (Rt. 3A), Billerica, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Hank’s name to VA Boston Healthcare,System, WR Campus General Post Fund: VA Boston Healthcare System