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Martin 'Pat' Blake
MARTIN "PAT" BLAKE
Clarence
Martin "Pat" Leonard Blake, of Clarence, passed away at home on July 4, 2016, at age 76, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
"Pat" was born the ninth child of Leo and Anna Mae Blake of Mediapolis, lowa, on Feb. 6, 1940. He married the love of his life, Betty Ann (Hoffner) on Aug. 6, 1960.
Pat is survived by his wife, Betty; his sons, Michael of Clarence, Doug of Gilroy, Calif., and Chad (Megan) of Clarence; a daughter, Tammera (Brett) Yancy of Clarence; seven granddaughters (one for every day of the week), Chelsea and Alexandra of Gilroy, Calif., Sophie, Madison, Emily, Allison and Jennifer Yancy, all of Clarence; one brother, Richard (Shirley) Blake of De Witt; two sisters, Margery Curtis of Hiawatha and Barbara Shriver of Sunset, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.
Pat was an auto mechanic at Key Chevrolet and St. Claire Cadillac in California. He also operated Pat's DX in Clarence, worked at Clarence Motor Co., and drove a truck for Everett Bixler (CRST) Trucking and Schneider Transport. He was a volunteer fireman from 1974 to 1979.
Pat enjoyed racing cars at the local dirt tracks in lowa in the '60s and '70s. He also was an avid NASCAR and NFL fan!
Pat and Betty retired in 2000 to lowa to help with family.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Howard Blake; and four sisters, Betty Streed, Dorothy Tudor, Maxine Ruther and Janet Louise (infant).
Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at the United Church of Christ in Clarence, with a luncheon to follow.
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