John Blake Sailed Sloop Around Katama, East Chop

John Claflin Blake of Venice, Fla., a former resident of Dedham and second vice-president of John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company died April 2 at Englewood Community Hospital, Englewood, Fla.

He was born on September 23, 1917 in Quincy and moved to Dedham in 1947 where he lived for 33 years before retiring to Venice, Fla. He and his family spent many summers on the Vineyard beginning in his childhood.

He graduated from North Quincy High School in 1935. Mr. Blake received his bachelor's degree in arts from Harvard College in 1939 and a master's degree in business from Harvard Business School in 1941 and became a certified financial analyst in 1965.

He was employed for 35 years by John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company serving as a financial analyst from 1945 to 1953, assistant treasurer from 1953 to 1965 and elected second vice-president in 1965 serving until his retirement in 1980.

His articles and interviews appeared in numerous publications including the American Banker, Financial Analysts' Journal and the Wall Street Transcript. Mr. Blake was a guest speaker at the National Association of Accountants, Providence, R.I. chapter. In 1949 he was nominated to the Newcomen Society of England by the New England Committee treasurer saying, "Mr. Blake is very well known and highly regarded for his investment analytical work at the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company."

Mr. Blake formerly served as a director of the Colonial Board Company, Manchester, Conn., a director of the Dedham Community House, an executive committee member of the Boston Society of Security Analysts, a member of the Prudential committee of Allin Congregational Church, Dedham, vice-chairman of the Harvard Business School fund drive, a member of the Boston Power Squadron and director of security for 11 years for the Japanese Gardens, Venice, Fla.

Mr. Blake began coming to the Vineyard in the early 1920s visiting his grandfather Chaflin's house in Oak Bluffs and his cabin that washed away at South Beach. He enjoyed his summers at Katama and East Chop sailing Reverend Harry Butman's sloop Tioga to Cuttyhunk, Chappaquiddick, Cape Cod and around the Island. He remained an avid reader of the Gazette.

He is survived by his two daughters, Susan Jean Blake of Miami, Fla. and Cynthia Blake Sullivan of Norwood and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Priscilla, of 54 years in 2001.

Memorial donations may be made to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, P. O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, Fla. 32064 or Japanese Gardens Memorial Fund, 6181 Teahouse Road, Venice, Fla. 34293.