Paul Blake passed away on October 1, 2017, after a long illness. He was born in Sheffield, Vt., on March 21, 1939, to Maurice and Thelma Bickford Blake. He married Marion Waterman Blake on June 6, 1964, at St. Johnsbury, Vt., and they were married for 53 years. Paul is survived by his wife, Marion, two sons and their wives, John (Bonnie) Blake and Jason (Jacqueline) Blake, plus two granddaughters, Katherine and Sarah Blake. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Paul was predeceased by his parents and his four siblings: Maurice (Betty) Blake, Katherine (Charles) Barrett, Geraldine Blake and Richard (Blendine) Blake. Paul graduated from Lyndon Institute in Lyndonville, Vt., in June of 1957. Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Navy serving as an electrician on ships transporting troops to Europe and the Near East. He also served on the USS Proteus which was a tender for the USS Patrick Henry as part of the Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. After his discharge from the Navy in 1961, he had a varied career, most notable as an artificial inseminator (cattle) in Vermont working for Eastern. He then worked as a master auto mechanic in both Vermont and Florida. His last position was with the City of West Palm Beach as a Supervisor in the Parks Department. He retired in 2005 and moved to Live Oak, Fi. In his younger days, Paul was an avid skier, football player, fisherman, bowler, and part of a racing team at Thunder Road International Speedway in Barre, Vt. Upon moving to Florida, he was involved in the Boy Scouts, took up golf and also became an Umpire with the Palm Beach County Umpires' Association. Upon moving to Live Oak, Paul and Marion became members of the First Advent Christian Church in Live Oak, Fl., where he served two terms as Trustee. They were also involved with The Harbinger Bible Conference, a faith-based retreat center in Dalton, NH. He served as Facilities Manager and Jack-of-all-Trades, plus serving a couple of years as its President. Paul was greatly loved and respected by his family and friends and will be sorely missed. Funeral services will be held at the First Advent Christian Church, 699 Pinewood Drive SW, Live Oak, FL., on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., The Rev. Tim Carver officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Haven Hospice of Lake City, Fl. Interment will be at the Dexter Cemetery in Sheffield, Vt., in June of next year.