Honoured by Brenda Smith.
William Joseph Thomas Blake – July 3, 1919 to October 1, 2008
Although Bill was not a resident of North Bay, he served his community of Preston (which
became Cambridge), with dedication and a spirit of giving. After high school he served in the Highland Light Regiment as a Sergeant in Company”D”. He then joined the R.C.A.F. and served for three years during the Second World War. He worked for Canadian Office and School Furniture Company as a purchasing agent and then worked for Rexwood Products based in New Liskeard as a sales representative. He worked actively and didn’t retire until he was 68 years old.
He served as chairperson of the local Board of Education and served on the municipal Committee of Adjustment for many years. He was President of the Lawn Bowling Association for three terms and was given the title of Honorary President. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion, Preston Branch, for 60 years and a member of the 404 R.C.A.F. Wing Waterloo Branch for 35 years. He founded and was president of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee. Even in his
late eighties, he would collect Zellers grocery tapes for a Legion wheelchair project. His friends and community miss his dedication and the hosting of many Happy Hours.