Robert Blakley

Robert “Bob” H. Blakley went to be with his Lord on January 21, 2018 in Sunapee, NH. He was born June 26, 1939 to George and Louise Blakley in Staten Island, NY. He grew up in Cranford, NJ and graduated from Cranford High School, class of 1957. He married Carol Lenox of Elizabeth NJ on September 11, 1965. He graduated from Rutgers University College with a degree in Business Administration in 1972. Bob was employed as the Treasurer of the Union Container Corporation, in Newark NJ, for almost 40 years. They ceased operations in 2004, and Bob took a few years to wind down the balance of the business.

Bob and Carol lived in Warren Township, NJ for many years, where they raised their three children. Bob believed in giving back to his community; while residing in Warren, he was active in the Jaycees, Scouting, and the Indian Princesses. He was a member of the Warren Friends of The Library, serving two terms as Treasurer, and was a 3rd Degree Knight in The Knights of Columbus, Council 11409, Our Lady Of The Mount Church.  He was very active in his Church, and in the parents’ associations of his children’s elementary and high schools, including the band parents for Immaculata High School, in Somerville, NJ. He was also involved in several Cranford High School Class of ‘57 Reunion Committees.

Upon retirement, Bob and Carol moved to Sunapee NH, where they maintained a second home. In Sunapee, Bob became active in the Sunapee Seniors, The Sunapee Historical Society, as a member of their Board Of Directors, and Council 4983 of the Knights Of Columbus, in Newport, NH. Bob and Carol were active at St. Joachim’s Church, running the monthly “Coffee And” program and were regulars at the Friday Night Group at the Mountain Edge Resort. He also served as a volunteer at the Abbott Library, was a member of the Wednesday morning senior golf league, and a member of the New London Country Squires.

Bob and Carol became snowbirds, spending winter months in Gulf Shores, AL., where they made many fast friends from the upper mid-west, and became involved in activities at Our Lady Of The Gulf Church.

They also loved touring, having kissed the blarney stone, walked the Aran Islands, driven the Canadian Rockies, the Canadian Maritimes, and at one point a cross country auto trip visiting every state and national park on the I-90 corridor. Included in their travels they did a hot air balloon ride and walked a glacier in the Canadian Rockies.

Bob had a great love for his wife, his children, grandchildren, and extended family. He also loved photography, and doing publicity photos for the organizations to which he belonged. His material was used in newspapers and magazines both in New Jersey and New Hampshire.  Bob enjoyed baking bread, losing golf balls with friends on courses both in New Hampshire and in down south, driving the back roads, walking the foot trails, and kayaking the quiet waters in his adopted state. He was an avid reader, loved hard crossword puzzles, and had a great interest in the Civil and Revolutionary Wars, visiting many battlefields both in the mid-Atlantic and deep south.

Bob was a member of the US Army Reserves, for six years, in peacetime. He was sober for over 28 years, and had deep respect, admiration and love for the people he met on that part of his journey.

He is survived by his wife of over 52 years; his two sons Bob, Jr., and his wife, Catherine of McLean, VA and Gregory G. and his wife Laura, of Bridgeport, CT; daughter, Amanda M. of San Antonio, TX; two grandchildren, Caroline and Colin, of McLean; and brother, Bruce G., of Monarch Beach, CA. Many nieces and nephews on both coasts also survive him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; younger brother, James of Cranford NJ; older brother, Warren, of Morgan Hill, CA; and sister, Betty Lou Canright, of Warren NJ.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 26 from 4 until 7p.m. at Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home at 42 Main St., Newport, NH 03773. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 27 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 32 Beech Street Newport, NH. 

In lieu of flowers please consider donations in Bob’s memory to either the Sunapee Historical Society, P.O. Box 501, Sunapee, NH 03782, or St. Joachim’s Catholic Church, c/o School Street, Newport, NH, 03773.

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