Jay E. Blake, 71, Draftsman at Former Western Electric

Jay E. Blake, 71, husband of Linda (Amirault) Blake, passed away Oct. 27 at High Point House in Haverhill surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late Stanley E. Blake, Sr. and Esther L. (York) Blake. Raised and educated in Haverhill, he was a graduate of Haverhill High School, Class of 1965.

Blake was a wood artisan and self-employed boat builder. He did relief carving, sculptures, decorative paddles, chip carving, duck decoys, photography, painting and drawing. An incredibly talented and humble artist, he built his home on Plum Island as well. He loved taking his kayak along the Merrimack River in the early morning and enjoyed fishing. Gardening both flowers and vegetables was another love that he shared with his wife Linda. At harvest time they would can and jar from their garden and share with relatives and neighbors. Previously, he delivered for his dad’s pharmacy “Blakes” and was a draftsman at the former Western Electric.

In addition to his loving wife Linda, he is survived by his brother Stanley E. Blake, Jr. and his wife Melinda of Hampden, Maine, cousins Kenneth Gibbs and his wife Thelma of Merrimac, Jean Mansell of Groveland. nephew Stanley E. Blake III and Daisey Delougu of Chicago, two great-nephews Jonah and Ezra, brother- and sister-in-laws Mark J. and Joan Amirault, Mary Ellen and Joseph Deveau, all of Haverhill, Regina D. and John Schulman of Bradford, Lori A. and Antonia Neves of Merrimac, Marcia J. Amirault of Londonderry, N.H. and many extended family members.

Services will be private. Arrangements are by the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Ave., Haverhill.