FREEPORT — Corliss A. Blake, 79, died on Feb. 14 at MidCoast Hospital in Brunswick.

He was born in East Boothbay on July 3, 1932, to Leroy and Emily Blake. He enjoyed his early years helping his favorite uncle Ken at his sawmill on Adam’s Pond.

When WWII broke, his father got a job with Bath Iron Works and the family moved to South Freeport where he lived for most of his life. Blake joined the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict and became the youngest staff sergeant drill instructor for the marines.

His first wife was a Woman in the Air Force and after they were discharged, they made their way back to Maine with their first child, Colleen, in tow. He then started his construction career with Gordon Sweetser of Yarmouth. He later began his own business C.A. Blake, Inc. and built custom homes. Several years later he gave up construction because of a medical condition and started Freeport Realty. He and his second wife, Germaine, later partnered with Norman and Patricia Williams and operated the Western Auto Store in Freeport.

Blake had a dry sense of humor. He enjoyed travelling, the Red Sox, New England Patriots, volunteering and socializing with the Freeport Elders. He loved wood carving, basket making, card games, puzzles and cooking.

His family and friends wish to thank the staff at MidCoast Hosptial for their outstanding skill and compassion.

He was predeceased by his parents Leroy and Emily; his first wife, Rachel Blake; brothers Edward and Richard; and sister, Beverly Dodge.

Blake is survived by his wife of 33 years, Germaine Sawyer; sons, David Blake and his wife, Lori, of Saco, Arthur Blake and his wife, Laura, of Lyman, and Anthony Blake and his wife, Katrina, of Amissville, Va.; daughters, Colleen Kenyon and her husband, George, of Topsham and Brenda Schilinski and her husband, Paul, of Manassas, Va.; stepchildren, James Sawyer and his wife, Lori, of Freeport, Dale Sawyer of Freeport and Diane Crean and her husband, Sean, of Clifton, Va.; 12 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A summer interment and memorial service with military honors will take place at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta. In lieu of flowers donations in Blake’s memory may be made to the Freeport Elders Association, 53 Depot Road, Freeport, ME 04032.

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